She arches a perfectly manicured brow. “And?”
“Nothing did.”
She nods in understanding.
But being the good friend she is, she doesn’t ask if nothing felt right because I never should have left.
“Do you want to stay with me while you figure things out?”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Of course not. You’re my ride or die. Whatever you need, I’m here for you. Always.”
I grab her hand and squeeze, grateful to have someone like Emily in my life. Right now, she’s all I have.
“Thanks, Em.”
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
HAYDEN
As much asI hate to admit it, Jude was right.
I’ve been living with a ghost.
I hadn’t realized how much Cora’s presence still haunted my life until he forced me to come to terms with it. I may have moved away from Chicago. May have even finally quit working for her father.
But her presence was still here.
So, over the past few days, I’ve started doing the one thing I should have done months ago.
I’ve started getting rid of her things. Which is why I’m currently in my home office, finally going through all the paperwork I’ve avoided this past year.
I work methodically. Keep what matters. Shred what doesn’t.
Every so often, a notification popsup on my phone, and I rush to it, praying it’s Rowan finally replying to one of my texts.
It’s not.
While I’m desperate to hear from her, I also don’t want to overwhelm her. So I’ve been giving her space, hoping she’ll eventually reach out.
As I set my phone back on the desk, I grab another stack of files and start going through them, my chest tightening when I read the label.
Donor Correspondence
After Cora passed, I received letters from the various recipients of her organs, facilitated by an organization to remain anonymous.
I read the letters once, then filed them away, choosing not to respond or learn who they were.
But maybe that’s been part of the problem.
Maybe I need to reach out.
Maybe this is part of the closure I need.
So instead of putting the letters into the box of items to be shredded, I pick up the folder and sit behind the desk, reading the first letter from a woman in her late sixties who’d been in renal failure.
Because of your family’s sacrifice, I was able to attend my granddaughter’s graduation. I walked her across the stage myself.
