“I bought a new house yesterday. Saw it at four in the afternoon, put in an offer in at five. It’s conditional on the sale of this place, so I’ll be listing it tomorrow.”
10
“You’re moving.” Brent nodded slowly, processing the news. It made sense. New house, new start.
“We’ll both get some cash out of the sale,” she said.
He didn’t give a fuck about that. “Where did you buy?”
She took a long, slow inhale. “Wardham.”
He shook his head. “Pardon?”
“I’ve been spending a lot of time there, and I’m working—”
“That’s where you were yesterday?”
She frowned. “Excuse me?”
“I came here to see you first. Before I went to talk to Evan. And you were there?”
“I— I’m there a lot, Brent. What’s your point?”
He didn’t have one. Regret seared through his chest. “Nothing. You found a place that quickly, eh?”
“I met a real estate agent who had the perfect place listed. It was half the price I think I can get for this place, so I’ll be able to afford it no problem. And it’s beautiful.” There was something bittersweet the way she said that last bit.
Then it hit him. She’d said exactly the same thing about this place when they first saw it.“It’s beautiful.” And all he’d been able to think at the time was that he didn’t deserve this beautiful woman in this beautiful house.
He’d been right.
“I’ll help you move,” he said gruffly. “Whatever you need.”
“I’ll hire a company.”
“I can—”
“I need to do this on my own.” She smiled tightly. “And no offence, but you haven’t been easy to get ahold of.”
He laughed sadly. “Yeah. Fuck. I’m sorry.”
“I know. You’ve been going through some shit, clearly.”
“I’m trying.”
“You aren’t mad that I’m leaving?”
“How can I be mad? I left first.”
“Good.” Now her smile was softer again.
“Can I give you a hug?”
She nodded wordlessly, and he crossed to her.
* * *
Deja vu hitJess like a ton of bricks as Brent crossed their kitchen—her kitchen, soon to be someone else’s kitchen, but once it had beentheirs—with his arms stretched out wide.
