She spun around in time to see Noah sidestep an elderly couple in order to reach her. Her heart took off as she and Libby exited the walkway.
He was there in a few strides, and it happened to AJ all over again, the span of his shoulders, the breadth of his thighs, the bow of his lips, the way his eyes lit as he looked at her.
“Hi,” he said, breathless. Then, “Hi, Libby.”
“Hi,” chirped Libby.
AJ swallowed. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“You too,” he said sincerely. “It’s good of you to be here.” He put a hand on her shoulder. AJ’s chest tightened.
Noah cleared his throat. “We’re having some people back to the house, and I wanted to ask if you would come.” He looked at AJ intently. “Eudora made me the executor of her will, and she left you a few bequests. Maybe once all of this is over, we can go over them? Since you’re here.”
“Sure,” said AJ, who was pretty sure she’d just entered a fugue state. “Yeah, whatever’s easy.”
“Great,” said Noah. He removed his hand. “I’ll see you there, then.”
“See you there,” said AJ.
With a nod, Noah walked back toward Grovelawn Manor.
Fuck.
AJ was in a fog as she followed Libby to her Lexus. Somehow, she was now going to Drew House, where she would have to meet Allison—have to act normal and nice.
In the driver’s seat, Libby fidgeted with her keys. She didn’t start the car.
“Do you have any idea how you look at him?”
AJ clenched her jaw, waiting for the punch line ending inJayde. When it didn’t come, she glanced over to find Libby’s eyes swimming.
“What’s it like?” her sister asked almost inaudibly. AJ had never seen Libby so exposed.
“I—” AJ’s comeback died on her tongue. Instead, she thought of the improbability of having just had Noah’s hand on her for thirty seconds. “I don’t know. A fucked-up miracle, maybe.”
Libby’s chin trembled, and AJ was hit with the sudden awareness that everything was about to change.
Then Libby said in a rush, “I need to leave Lucas. I-I want a divorce.”
The sun was settingas Libby’s Lexus pulled into the driveway at Drew House. AJ could tell from the patchwork of remaining cars that most of the guests had already gone.
They had talked in the parking lot for two hours, then transitionedto Libby’s trusty Dunkin’ for another two. And it had all tumbled out. How something had always felt off, but Libby had stuck with it because “my marriage was the only thing I ever did that impressed Dad.” How she’d come to admit that the rare days Lucas was around were her worst. How she’d realized she wanted more watching Pat and Elle. How she’d learned she could ask for it watching AJ.
“I’m sorry for how I acted when you left Brian,” Libby said. “I was trying so hard to convince myself to stay, I don’t think I could bear to watch you go.”
Libby had a tough path ahead, but as they waved goodbye, AJ had never seen her sister look so…right. As Libby’s headlights swung into the dusk, AJ had to laugh—only Libby could make someone else’s funeral about herself.
AJ’s smile faded as she slowly turned to face Drew House. She had walked here so often in her mind—it hadn’t changed one iota. As she approached the oak door, she marveled at the familiar cast of evening through the trees.
The party was indeed breaking up. As AJ stepped inside, she held the door for several elderly guests on the way home. She entered the vestibule to a familiar sight: Mrs. Gilroy, fussing over a pile of silver terrines. Several caterers watched nearby, powerless to stop her.
“Real serviceanticipates,” she was saying. Then she spied AJ. “AJ?Mymy,if this isn’t a surprise.”
“Hi, Mrs. Gilroy,” said AJ, as the elderly Irishwoman gave her the once-over. The caterers took the opening to pack up their wares.
“I’m retired now, you know.” She sniffed loudly. “I’m living in the house down the hill, the one where Noah grew up. He was so attentive to his aunt. I was still here most days…right up until…” She looked around the room. “I suppose I shall miss this place.”
As she sighed, Noah emerged from the formal dining room to the left, accompanied by several mourners. His eyes caught on AJ as he bid them farewell.
