I laugh, but it’s brittle and hurts my throat. “But why? I don’t understand what the problem would be now.” My voice cracks on the next part. “I lost the baby. I’m not a threat to his career.”
The words hang there between us, ugly and naked. My eyes burn. I blink hard, but the tears come anyway—tears I swore I’d never let him see. I turn my face away, press the heel of my hand to my mouth, like that’ll stop the sob trying to climb out.
Daniel just watches me unravel, looking dead inside.
“Tully is better off without you,” he says.
Like he’s stating the obvious.
I want to scream that he’s wrong, but the words won’t come.
Because standing here, crying in an alley behind a tattoo shop, with Daniel looking at me like I’m exactly the liability he always said I was…I can’t help but believe he’s right.
I wipe my face with my sleeve, turn the key the rest of the way, and push the door open. The cheerful bell jingling inside is a direct contrast to reality.
“You keep pushing this, I’ll get creative, Lola. Don’t test me.”
“What do you mean?”
“You think I don’t have your parents’ house mapped out? Isla’s apartment in Nantucket? Luca’s place in Boston?”
My blood runs cold. “You stay away from them. Why are you doing this?”
“I’m protecting my investments,” he says. “You think I’m scary?” He does a stupid low voice and laughs. “Lola, this has been me playing nice this whole time. Don’t push me.”
I’m trembling and turn to get away from him.
“Stay away from Tully,” Daniel says to my back. Not a request.
I don’t answer. I just step inside and let the door swing shut behind me. I drop my bag on the counter, brace my hands on the edge, and breathe until the shaking stops.
Tully’s better off without me.
Within a month, the rent becomes too high, and I have to start over. Again.
Maybe if I reinvent myself enough times, I’ll land on a life that sticks.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
MOVING PARTS
LOLA
The Kitty-Corner Cafe smells divine, and I decide within approximately four seconds of walking through the door that it’s my new favorite place. The fire is roaring, and the light coming in from the windows makes everything brighter.
Juju brightens when she sees us. “Good morning. You heading out of town?”
“Yeah, we’re going to the airport from here,” Tully says.
Uncle Hal comes out of the kitchen singing “There’s No Business Like Show Business” and comes to get a hug when he spots us.
“I’m happy I got to see you again before you leave,” Juju says.
“Sounds like we’ll be back next week for a wedding,” Tully teases. “How are you even here right now? Don’t you have a wedding to plan?”
“This is gonna be the chillest wedding you’ve ever seen,” she says quietly, making sure no one around is listening. “With the exception of the menu.” She laughs and adds, “The food will be…” and does a chef’s kiss.
“I take it you’re not inviting the whole town?” Tully whispers.
