I found Chai’s contact and hit ‘call,’ hoping she wasn’t teaching a class.
“Hey Dad, what’s up?”
“I accepted Jonathan’s offer. I’m gonna sell the house and move to Briar Glenn,” I blurted out in one rushed string of words.
Chai laughed. “It’s about damn time. I was starting to wonder what was taking you so long. I knew you’d be done for once Pam went out there.”
I grinned, shaking my head. “You know me better than I know myself.”
“I mean, this stubbornness had to come from somewhere.” She was quiet for a second before finally asking, “Does Pam know?”
“Not yet. I, uh, I was hoping you could help me with something.”
“Alright, Romeo. What do you have in mind?”
TWENTY-FIVE
PAM
Everything I trust comes to me exactly when I need it.
“Well, what did you think?” Chai asked as we walked out of our first hot yoga class.
Refusing to take no for an answer, she’d insisted I meet her in Rock Harbor to use the gift card from Alistair.
It was my second day back home and I didn’t even get to hole up in the house and mope.
“If I’m being honest, it was like an hour-long hot flash.” I wiped the sweat off my brow, and she laughed.
“If my dad asks, just tell him you loved it.”
Her dad.
Every time I thought about Alistair, my chest felt tight.
We’d talked a few times—but he seemed more distant than usual. Like he was lost in his thoughts.
It made sense, considering he had some difficult decisions to make.
“Don’t worry, I planned on it.”
I’d hate to waste such an expensive gift, and maybe hot yoga would grow on me over time.
Chai dug through her bag and pulled out her phone. “Do you have any plans for the rest of the day?”
“A friend asked me to meet her for lunch, but I don’t feel up to it—especially after that class. I’m just going to go home and relax.”
Nancy was dying to hear more details about my trip, but she’d have to wait. I was physically and emotionally exhausted.
“Well,” Chai said, her brows raised as she typed something on her phone. “I hope you can get some rest. I’ll see you in class later this week?”
I nodded. “Wouldn’t miss it. Oh, and if you talk to your dad, will you tell him to call me? He’s been a little quiet. I just want to make sure he’s okay.”
She gave me a soft smile. “I’m sure you’ll hear from him soon. Drive safe, okay?”
“You too, honey.”
I hopped in my car, checking my phone for any texts or calls I might have missed before starting the engine.
