Page 105 of The Addendum

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Luc’s phone went off again. It had been doing so all evening, and he was getting impatient. He’d brought over his things, and we were unpacking them in between phone calls. He answered, listening and asking some rapid-fire questions. Finally, he sighed.

“Fine. I’ll book a flight out as soon as I can.”

He hung up and scrubbed his face.

“What’s going on?” I asked. “Where are you going?”

“There’s an issue in the BC office. I have to go and take care of it myself.”

“Will you be gone long?”

“Hopefully not.”

“You’ve just moved in, and you’re already escaping?” I teased. “Joyce has only been gone a few days, and you’re done with me?”

He chuckled. “Trust me, love, I don’t want to. And I’ll never be done with you.” He frowned. “I hate the thought of going, but I need to be in that room working on the situation. No one else can figure it out, and the problem keeps recurring. I told them they needed everything centralized. Maybe once I solve this, they’ll give me the budget to do it.”

“Well, you book a flight, and we’ll repack a case for you.”

He kissed me. “Okay. I’m sorry.” He frowned. “With everything going on, I don’t want to leave you.”

I waved my hand. “It’s fine. I’m fine.”

I hadn’t heard from anyone, and I didn’t expect to. My bank manager said he had no way of returning the funds and now that the loan was paid, it couldn’t be reopened. I removed all the extra money in the account and had it put into a bank draft which I mailed back to Richard, along with a repayment schedule for the money he’d paid off on my behalf.

He hadn’t replied.

I had spoken to Anne a couple of times, and she had been cordial and friendly. There had been no more calls or texts from Heather or Grace.

I should be happy.

Yet I wasn’t.

I hated to admit it, but I was beginning to think Luc was right. My fear of rejection was strong. It overrode my desire to get to know Richard and his family in case they found me lacking. By rejecting them first, I had the upper hand.

Except it felt as if I had lost something.

And I wasn’t sure how to get it back.

30

ASHLEY

A couple of days later, I looked around at the few unpacked boxes Luc had brought over before he’d left on his business trip. His clothes now hung in the closet, his T-shirts and underwear in the dresser Joyce had left behind and we had moved into my—our—bedroom. He hadn’t brought any furniture, laughing and shaking his head as he assured me none of it was salvageable after the years of him and his wild roommates abusing it.

“We’ll pick out some new pieces together when we’re ready.”

Joyce had left her few pieces of furniture behind, taking only her clothes and personal items. I had offered to buy them, but she refused, saying she was happy to know they were being used and to consider them a gift. So, the spare room was now a guest room, and I didn’t have to replace the side tables or the TV stand. The sofa and chair, I had purchased, as well as the TV, so it was an easy transition for everyone.

It was hard saying goodbye to her, but she was so excited, I couldn’t be sad. This was the life she wanted, and I was pleased she was able to grab it and live it. Luc and I took her to the airport, and there were lots of hugs and kisses, a few tears, and then with a carefree wave, she was gone. I knew I’d see her again, but I would miss her. I was grateful Luc was with me, his arm around my waist, holding me close. He had my back, no matter what, and I fell in love with him a little more every day.

He’d been a rock throughout this whole situation. He supported me, even when he wasn’t certain I was making the right choices. His calm demeanor and love were constant. Saying goodbye to him at the airport had been as hard as saying goodbye to Joyce, and he was just going to be gone for a few days. I was going to miss him, even if he was only away such a short time. It felt odd to come back to the townhouse without him. Strange how his presence made the house feel like a home. How quickly I missed him being here with me.

With a sigh, I picked up one of the boxes that held some other items of Luc’s clothing, planning on hanging them in the guest room closet. I needed to stay occupied and not think about my latest argument with Richard. I hadn’t heard from him or anyone else since our vocal disagreement. I had been so rude, I wasn’t sure I ever would. It shocked me how much that idea bothered me.

Not paying attention, I turned too quickly with the box, knocking a picture off my night table. I gasped in dismay as it hit the floor, the glass shattering. I put the box down and bent, picking up the picture. My mom had had it for years. It was her and me in a small collage, starting when I was a baby. The large oval photo in the center was taken when I was around twenty. The smaller ones were over the years growing up. She had loved it and kept it by her bedside. After she passed, I did the same thing, the pictures always a bittersweet memory.