He kisses me there on the curb with car horns blaring and people rushing past, and it feels like the future we're building one weekend at a time.
Then he's gone, disappearing through the sliding doors with one last look over his shoulder. I stand there until I can't see him anymore, until the cold seeps through my coat and my fingers go numb.
The drive back to Pine Hollow feels longer than it should. I stop for gas and coffee I don't drink, just to delay walking into Dad's empty house. But eventually I can't put it off.
The shop looks different when I pull up outside. Not bad, just different. Mine now in every way - not just the business, but the building too. The paperwork went through last week, making it official. My dream, fully realized.
I let myself in through the side door and flip on the lights. The space welcomes me like it always has, familiar and warm despite the January chill. I move through the routine of straightening shelves, checking the register, sorting through tomorrow's special orders. Normal things. Grounding things.
My phone chimes. A text from Ryder:Boarding now. Miss you already.
I smile despite the ache behind my ribs.Miss you too. Safe flight.
Another text. Emma:Dinner tonight? You shouldn't be alone.
Me:Sounds good. Your place at seven?
Emma:Perfect. Bringing wine and terrible movies. Love you.
I set my phone down and look around the shop. Really look. At the reading nook where Ryder and I had our first real conversation. At the shelves I've curated with so much care. At the window display I change with the seasons.
This place holds all of it. Every laugh, every argument, every moment that led us here.
The front door chimes, and I turn to find Dad letting himself in with his spare key. "Thought you might want company."
I don't ask how he knew I'd be here. Dad always knows.
"He get off okay?" Dad asks.
"Yeah." I lean against the counter. "I'm fine."
"You don't have to be fine."
That cracks me open. I press my hands to my face, and Dad crosses the room to pull me into a hug. "He's coming back, Luce. You know that, right?"
"I know."
"And in the meantime, you've got us. The whole family."
I laugh wetly. "Lucky me."
"Damn right." He squeezes my shoulder. "Now come on. Connor and Emma are making dinner. Something about making sure you eat actual food and don't survive on coffee and sadness."
"Connor said that?"
"Emma said that. Connor just grunted approval."
We lock up the shop and head to Connor and Emma's house. Connor's already in the kitchen, doing something complicated with chicken. Emma's setting the table with Maisie's help. When they see me, Emma immediately wraps me in a hug while Maisie demands to know where Uncle Ryder is.
"He had to go back to Boston for work," I tell her. "But he'll visit soon."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
We eat together, the four adults and one chattering toddler, and I'm grateful for my family. For the way they show up when I need them most. Connor doesn't say much, but he pours me an extra glass of wine and doesn't make any jokes about long distance relationships. Emma keeps the conversation flowing. Dad tells stories about Mom that make us all laugh and cry.
Later, after Maisie's in bed and Dad's headed home, I help Emma with the dishes while Connor takes out the trash.
