Callan points the spoon at me. “That’s slander, and I’ll see you in court.”
“Good,” I shoot back. “I’ve always wanted to yellobjectionin real life.”
Lucy groans. “I’m surrounded by toddlers.”
“Correction,” Callan says. “Highly attractive, emotionally complex toddlers.”
Knox’s laughter rings out. “That’s not the win you think it is, bud.”
We all laugh, and things might not be perfect for me right now, but they’re okay. Okay enough for me to breathe a little deeper, and that’s something I can work with.
I wokeup this morning feeling surprisingly refreshed, which is a minor miracle considering the whirlwind the past few days have been. Now I’m about to head back to the States and go through the whole jet lag thing all over again. Because that’salwaysa treat.
The idea of leaving this bubble where everything actually feels okay has anxiety settling back in. I try to get it together, zero in on the task at hand like that’ll somehow keep the spiral at bay.Fold the damn clothes, Bree.But my hands are trembling, and I keep refolding the same sweater like that’ll fix whatever’s cracking open inside me. Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, threatening to spill over at any moment.
I blink hard, biting the inside of my cheek as I do a quick once-over of my room at Rose’s, making sure I haven’t left anything behind.
Juliette’s perched on the edge of the bed, watching me with that little frown she gets whenever she feels guilty. “I’m so sorry I can’t take you to the airport,” she says, her voice soft. “If I had known you were coming, I wouldn’t have booked my appointment.”
I wave her off with a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry about it, Jules. I came here to surprise you, not for you to put your entire life on hold.” The last thing I want is for her to feel bad. She’s got enough on her plate already, and as for me? Well, I’m just trying to survive this whole mess and get back to normal. Whatever that even is at this point.
I turn back to the suitcase, pulling at the zipper like it’s personally offended me. It’s not budging. Not. At. All. “Damnit. Sit your skinny ass on top of this for me? I can’t get it zipped.”
She bursts out laughing and hops off the bed. She makes her way over to the suitcase and perches on top of it like she’s some kind of delicate bird. Her thin frame barely even makes a dent.
I roll my eyes. “Come on, put some muscle into it!”
She bounces up and down dramatically, making a show of it. Finally, with one last tug, the zipper gives in, and I manage to wrangle it closed. “There we go,” I say, wiping my hands. “Crisis averted.”
Juliette slides off the suitcase and, without a word, wraps her arms around me. She presses her cheek against my shoulder, and the weight of her sadness seeps through the hug. “I wish you didn’t have to go,” she murmurs. “These past few days have been a dream.”
I squeeze her back, my throat tightening just a little, because this is harder than I expected. “I’ll come back as soon as I can, you can count on it.” And I mean it. There’s nothingholding me in one place anymore. Well, nothing except Nugget, but he’s portable. I’ll figure it out. One way or another.
“Ugh, well, Callan should be here to pick you up any minute. My appointment is thirty minutes away, so I better get going.” She gives me a sad smile. “Be so careful, okay? Text me at every stop on the way back?”
“You know I will.”
She holds my gaze for a moment, then her voice turns teasing, yet still serious. “You’re also not off the hook. You never told me what happened with Dillon, and I’m giving you a pass for now, but you owe me the full story at some point.”
I wave her off. “Yeah, yeah. Now shoo before you’re late.”
She rolls her eyes at my dismissive tone but doesn’t fight it. She gives me a final hug, then heads out the door, leaving me with that lingering feeling of already missing her before I’ve even left.
I flop onto the bed, letting out an exaggerated sigh. My brain immediately jumps into overdrive, running through a marathon of thoughts I’m definitely not ready to deal with. I try to push them aside, but they’re persistent little buggers. I just need to survive today and keep it together.
I glance around the room like it’s going to offer me some kind of wisdom. Spoiler alert—it doesn’t.
seven
CALLAN
We’ve been riding to the airport in silence, but it’s buzzing with all the things we’re not saying.
I know why, though, and I get it. I do. With every minute that passes, I chew on the inside of my cheek, wanting to ask anyway. Just to make sure she’s really okay.
“Excited to get home?”
The words are out before I can stop them, and the second they’re hanging in the air, I cringe.Really, Callan?That’s what you go with? You might as well have asked if she’s looking forward to a root canal.
