They both stopped, their brows rising.
“I appreciate this.” My throat tightened. “I do. But you’re moving at warp speed and my brain’s still stuck on the fact that I just broke up with someone I love.”
Cleo’s expression softened. “Sorry.”
“We’re just trying to help.”
“I know.” I dropped my hand. “And I need your help. But can I maybe focus on surviving the next week first?”
They nodded.
I groaned. “How am I supposed to share a suite with him for an entire week?”
“Two bedrooms though, right?” Imani asked.
“Yeah, but it’s still the same suite. Same living area. Same kitchen. I can’t exactly avoid him when we’re sharing space and I’m taking care of his daughter.”
Cleo shrugged. “You keep things professional. Like you did at the beginning.”
“That was before I fell in love with him.”
“Then you fake it,” Imani said. “You can fall apart after Mexico.”
I wanted to argue. To say it wasn’t that simple.
But maybe it was.
“Okay. I can do that.” I hoped. “Can I crash on one of your sofas when I get back?”
“Obviously.” Cleo rolled her eyes. “You don’t even have to ask.”
“Mine’s closer to UCL.” Imani tucked her hair behind her ear. “If you want to look at that consultancy.”
Relief flooded through me. “Thank you. Both of you.”
“We’ve got you.” Cleo hugged me. “Always.”
I hugged her back with one arm while my throat burned. I didn’t deserve friends this loyal. Tears pricked my eyes.
I’d spent so long thinking I had to survive this alone. But I didn’t. I never had.
“What if Griffin comes around?” Imani asked. “What if he realizes you’re right?”
“Then he’ll have learned an expensive lesson.” I kissed the top of Hazel’s head, breathing in her sweet baby smell. “But I won’t be the weapon Julian uses to teach it to him.”
“So you’re really doing this,” Cleo said. “Full independence. No safety net.”
“No safety net.” I pressed my lips together, and willed myself not to freak out at those simple words. “I’ll figure out the funding somehow. Take out loans, find grants, and work part-time. Whatever it takes.”
“It’ll be hard.” Imani closed her laptop.
“Harder than living under Julian’s thumb for the rest of my life?” I shook my head. “I don’t think so.”
Cleo grinned. “I’m proud of you.”
“For what? Finally growing a spine?”
“For choosing yourself.” She brushed hair from my face. “Even when it’s terrifying.”
