Griffin guides me into an empty sitting room off the lobby with a sofa and two armchairs near a large picture window. Everything looks like it was frozen in time from another era. He takes the seat to my right on the antique velvet sofa, keeping our hands entwined.
I should pull away.
Part of me wants to lean into him and take what little comfort I can from his presence, but another part of me is scared of what might happen if I do. I let this man disappointme once; I couldn’t bear it a second time. I’m barely holding onto my sanity as it is.
“I can’t take the pain away, but I can sit in it with you.” Griffin barrels right past all of my defenses, draping his arm around my shoulder. He pulls me against his soft body, and I let him.
I don’t have any fight left in me.
“Jess would’ve hated this,” he mutters against the top of my head, his breath ruffling my hair.
I let out a watery laugh. “Yeah. Too many tears. Not enough tequila.”
“Good thing I came prepared.” He pulls out a small gold flask from the front pocket of his coat and unscrews the top, holding the flask out to me. “To Jess?”
I muster up a tiny smile for the first time in a week as I take it from him. “To Jess.”
Eyes closed, I throw my head back and take a big gulp. It burns my throat on the way down, and I suddenly wish I had a chaser. Griffin’s fingers brush mine as he takes it back. He slowly brings the flask to his mouth, placing his lips where mine were only seconds ago. His throat bobs on a swallow, and he tucks the flask away.
Jess would be so damn proud to know I ogled her brother-in-law at her funeral.
Silence stretches between us, and the mood turns somber again.
“What do I do now?” I ask.
“The only thing youcando. Keep on living. One day at a time.”
I lean my head against his shoulder, letting his comfort flow through me. Voices drift into the room from the direction we came, and Evelyn Hayes materializes with six-month-old Emmy in her arms.
“Oh. Griff. Perfect. Could you look after Emmy forme?”
Griffin takes the chubby baby into his arms and presses a gentle kiss against her forehead. She looks so much like Jess, it makes my chest ache. Griffin bounces her on his lap, and she coos, reaching for his beard with her tiny hands.
She has no idea what she lost. My heart hurts to know this precious baby girl—the light of Jess’s life—is going to grow up without her mother.
I stand and rub my hand over my black skirt as the room starts to blur.
“How are you holding up?” Evelyn asks, holding out her arms.
I walk into her embrace and inhale a deep breath. “I’m ok.”
It’s bullshit, and we all know it.
“You don’t have to put on a brave face for me, sweet girl. None of us are ok.”
She steps back and holds both of my hands in hers. “If you ever need to talk, I’m here.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Hayes.”
“Anytime.” She gives me one more squeeze before turning her attention to Griffin. “Take good care of her,” she says.
He nods, and his gaze catches mine. “Always.”
Griffin
Of all the ways I imagined our paths would cross again, I never considered it would be at Jess’s funeral. I thought I could handle it, but the second I saw Angelina’s tear-stained cheeks, whatever strength I had faded away. I never believed in soulmates before that weekend three months ago, but I walked away from Angelina’s apartment a changed man. I only wish I’d found a way to see her sooner.
Standing at Jess’s grave as they lower her casket into the ground, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of loss for all thememories we won’t get to make, and all the milestones she’ll miss.
