“I know I’m not his girlfriend anymore,” I say, straightening up, “but I would like to be kept informed, and if there is anything I can do to help, I’ll do it.”
“Thank you both for all you’ve done for him,” Hugh says, patting my arm. “I promise we will keep you updated as this progresses.”
* * *
“Now that we’re both here, do you want to talk today?” Hudson asks when we step outside the Allen house.
“I don’t have plans this afternoon, so I’m good to talk now.” Originally, I had planned to talk to Hudson tomorrow, figuring one difficult conversation at a time was the best way to go. But I might as well get it over and done with now and save myself another trip to North Bend tomorrow.
“What about hiking the usual trail?” he asks, frowning as he looks at my ballet pumps.
“I have boots in the trunk of my car, and I’m down for a hike.” Hiking was one of Garrick’s and my favorite things to do when we were here or at the winery in Woodinville. We even went camping with Hudson one time.
Hudson grabs some waters from his truck while I retrieve my boots and my jacket from the back of the Land Rover. Nana left it to me along with a little money, a few pieces of jewelry, and the house. She left Mom the rest of the property, including the business, as well as the remainder of her jewelry.
Mom has already handed in her notice to the architectural firm, and she’s going to run the business with the help of Nana’s oldest friend. She asked me to consider joining her, but it’s not something I’m ready for yet.
We set out in quiet companionship along the familiar route, both of us locked in thought. I’m sad for Garrick. Though I don’t want to see him in limbo, this is still a hard pill to swallow. After an hour, we reach Garrick’s favorite spot, halfway up the mountain, and we sit side by side at the edge of the cliff face with our feet dangling below. It’s cold but not too windy. In the distance, ice-capped peaks rise toward the dull sky. Down below us, the navy-blue lake stretches for miles like a giant puddle, surrounded by dense forest and occasional residential pockets.
“I hoped it wouldn’t come to this.” Hudson passes me a bottle of water. “My heart is breaking even if I know it’s the right thing to do.”
“Poor Hugh and Dawn. It’s a terrible decision to have to make.” I uncap my water and drink some.
“Ivy is going to go nuclear. She’ll force Hugh to go to court when I’m sure he’d rather keep it private.” He tips water into his mouth.
“She’s a horrible human, and I’ve no doubt she’ll make it difficult. She’ll drag this out as long as possible.”
“My buddy had so many great plans. It sucks he ended up here.”
“Yes, it does,” I say in a quiet voice, dropping my chin and picking at the label on my water.
“If you want to talk to me about Beck, I will understand.”
I jerk my chin up, eyes popping wide as I examine his face. “Did Hadley say something to you?”
“I haven’t spoken to Hadley in months.” A muscle pops in his jaw as he picks up a stone and sends it careening into the air.
“I had hoped you two might reconnect after you graduated. You seemed so good together.”
He takes a swig from his bottle. “I did too, but shit happened, and then she met Mike.” He peers into my eyes. “It seems serious with him.”
Compassion washes through me. “It is.” I like Mike. He’s a great guy. Very laid-back and easygoing, and he embraces all that is quirky about my best friend. But I’m not sure he’s who I’d pick for her. I can’t help wondering if what happened with Garrick and me has influenced the choices Hadley has made. I asked her outright, and she swears it hasn’t. At least not consciously. Subconsciously is an entirely different matter.
“Well, good for her. Hadley is wonderful, and she deserves to be happy.”
“You do too.” I nudge him in the side. “Met anyone special?”
“Nope.” He finishes his water and recaps the bottle. “I’m not exactly looking though. Between work, family, and visiting Garrick, I don’t really have time for a special someone in my life.”
“I might have agreed at one time but not anymore. When you find the right person, you don’t make time for them; it just happens naturally because you can’t bear to be apart from them for long.”
“Like you and Beck.”
“Yes.” I take another drink of my water as I look out at the glorious scenery laid out before us. “I didn’t see it happening. It was a natural gradual thing.”
“It’s okay to love him, Stevie. It’s more than okay.”
I whip my head to his. “You can’t really mean that? Garrick is your best friend.”
