“You managed to cram a lot in that suitcase,” she said, glancing at the fancy cream suitcase Jeremiah had bought me.
“I hope I packed everything I needed,” I said. “I was in such a rush. Such a rage. I didn’t know what I was doing.”
“Understandably so,” she said with a nod before looking at me. “Are you settling in okay?”
“Yes,” I said insistently. “This room is beautiful.”
It was. With its tufted white bedframe and pale pink striped wallpaper. A large bookshelf sat in the corner with an eclectic collection of framed photos and vintage books. It had Erica written all over it.
“You opened your doors to me. I can never repay you for this. Marco and Josie too.”
“Are you kidding? Josie is so excited to have her auntie Sadie here. And you know Marco loves you, too.”
I smiled, before my face fell at the reminder that Jeremiah had never met my friends. Never met the people closest to me.
“What is it?” asked Erica with a frown.
“You just…have it all figured out,” I said with a shrug. “You, Marco, Josie. I can’t help but feel a little envious.”
“Hey,” she said gently, taking my hand in hers. I avoided her gaze as I looked at her burgundy-painted nails. “It took a while for us to get here. You know that. You were there for me when I was going through it. So, let me be here for you.”
She squeezed my hand gently and I looked up at her through my tears.
“I just miss him,” I whispered, my voice cracking.
“I know,” she said, pulling me in for a hug. I hugged her back tightly, letting the tears stream down my cheeks.
Ididmiss him. I had only walked out on him yesterday, but it somehow felt like a lifetime ago. I could still see the hurt in his eyes. The confusion when he found me in the process of leaving him.
But what did he expect?
He hurt me. Again. I didn’t know how much more I could endure.
“Sorry to interrupt,” said Marco as he poked his head in the room, looking at us warily.
“What is it, babe?” asked Erica curiously.
“Someone is here to see you,” he said, a smile ticking at the corners of his mouth.
Erica and I both looked at each other. My heart skipped thinking maybe Jeremiah was here. I reluctantly pulled myself from the bed and followed Erica out of the bedroom and down the hallway to the large entryway. I stopped in my tracks when I saw who it was.
Gabriella stood there holding Josie in one arm, with her other hand on the handle of her large, hot pink suitcase. Erica and I let out two-high pitched squeals and rushed toward our best friend. She let out her own squeal, and our excitement rang through the room.
“What are you doing here?” I asked excitedly as I pulled her in for a tight hug.
“I came to check out my new place,” she said with a grin as she wrapped her arm around me. “I’m moving here. Remember, dummy?”
“Dummy,” repeated Josie, as she wriggled in Gabriella’s arms.
Erica shot Gabriella a look before busting out laughing.
“Oops,” said Gabriella, putting her hand over her mouth and her dark eyes sparkling. “I gotta watch myself now that I’m here.”
“Which I can’t believe you are.Here,” I said in awe as I pulled from her embrace and looked her over, my hand on her shoulder. She looked like she had just gotten off a plane in leggings, a crewneck, and sneakers. I couldn’t believe she was here. She had told us she was moving here weeks ago during ourpicnic at the park, but I didn’t realize she’d be here this soon to look at places.
“Come here, Josie girl,” said Marco walking into the room, reaching his arms out to his daughter, whose chocolate brown eyes danced at the sound of his voice. She giggled and went to him before he swung her around. He brushed his dark hair back before grinning at us.
“Let’s give Mama and your aunties some time to chat.” He gave us a wink and took Josie down the hall to her room.
