However, the way Rosa lights up, despite the somber energy, makes me think she knew he was here all along.
“Hey, we need to leave in a few minutes. You should start your goodbyes now.” Mase comes up to Addie and me, who rushed home from a work trip but didn’t make it to the funeral.
She’s here now, though, at the Moraleses’ household, and that’s all that counts.
“Yeah. Okay.”
He kisses Addie’s cheek. “See you next week?”
“Yeah, I’ll be there.”
Mason’s team is in the playoffs, and Addie and I are going to the first game in Seattle.
I throw my arms around her shoulders, and she buries her head into my chest. Coming in at only five feet, two inches, she barely hits my shoulder.
“I want to say so much right now, but if we talk about her, I’m going to start sobbing again.”
Addie nods, agreeing with me. “She should be coming with us next week.”
Of course, we asked her to come to Seattle; we would never have left her out, but being a new mom with a newborn doesn’t leave time for trips, and we got that.
Never in a million years did we think it would be because of recurrent cancer.
“I love you.” I step back, knowing that staying in her arms will only make it harder to leave.
“Love you more.”
Before we go, I need to do one thing.
I step inside Camila’s childhood room and find a picture of her and me when she visited USC on her nightstand.
The room hasn’t changed one bit since I met her.
Everywhere I look, I sense her. Our memories together are strong in my mind, and I vow never to forget them. To keep them alive and share everything with Claudina as she gets older.
“You should take that picture home with you.”
I spin on my heels to find Nate standing with his hands in his suit pockets and his legs crossed. He leans against the doorframe, staring at me.
“I couldn’t.”
“Mom was going to give it to you anyway. You should have it.”
I nod and wipe my tears. I put it in my purse and plan to move it from one bedside to another.
“It’s good to see you, Mads,” he says softly, stepping into the space between us like it still belongs to him. “I’ve missed you.”
“Nate…” My voice is barely above a whisper.
He takes another step closer. “Thank you for being there for me today. It means everything.”
“You would do the same for me.”
“I would do anything for you.” His gaze flickers over my face. “Can we talk, please? I have so much to say.” He’s so close I can feel his breath brush against my skin. I should step back and move away from the temptation, but it’s been too long since I’ve seen him or felt this fire that ignites my insides.
And I hate to admit it, but it’s good to see him, too.
“Not now. It’s not the right time.”
