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And that’s why she bought it. Why she spent a ridiculous amount of money on it.

“I know just the spot,” I say, and for a moment, all I want to do is lean in and kiss her, smooth my hands through her hair, thread my fingers through hers, pull her into the house, and never let her leave.

51

Alice

By the time I get home from Owen’s, it’s just gone eight, and although I should be exhausted, I’m buzzing with a cacophony of emotions. I’m pleased the day went well, ecstatic that Owen didn’t hate my gift, but more than anything, I’m angry. And I shouldn’t be angry after such a beautiful day, but I am, and I know why.

Pippa.

How could she be such a cow? Why would you treat someone you love like that?

I know I’ve only heard Owen’s version of events, but he’s already told me he’s not much of a fabricator, so I trust that he gave me an accurate depiction of what happened. And worst of all, he said he doesn’t hate her. He even understood why she did what she did, and almost validated her actions, which just has my blood boiling because that isn’t love.

I’m so angry because, as far as I can see, she didn’t love him at all. Because if you love someone, you’d do anything to be with them, accept them however they arrive, and stick with them no matter what, because that’s what love is.

So how could she walk away from him? From love?

She can’t have truly found love with Owen, because if it’d been me, I’d be running to him with open arms.

I freeze, the words spinning in my mind.

I’d be running to him with open arms.

My phone rings as I unlock my door, Lori’s photo flashing on the screen.

“Hey,” I answer while putting her on loudspeaker.

“Hey, how are you?” she asks.

“Good, thanks. Just getting back from the coast.”

“It’s been the weather for it,” Lori says. “Did you go alone?”

“No, I went with Owen.”

There’s a pause before she says, “It’s a bit much, isn’t it? A day trip to the coast just to get to know him for the fake-dating wedding day?”

“Yeah, well, his dog died last week, and he’s been very down about it, as you can imagine, and, well, he opened up a bit today. Well, a lot, actually. He told me why he and his wife split up.” I drop my bag in the hallway as I hear Lori suck in a gasp.

“Oh God. Is it bad?”

“Depends on what you class as bad. If you mean she’s a grade-A bitch and he was shit on from a great height, then yes, it’s bad.”

“Okay, hit me with it.”

I want to confide in Lori. She’s my best friend, and I usually tell her everything, but I can’t share something Owen has told me in confidence. Knowing he doesn’t open up easily, I’m honoured he’s shared his grief with me, so it doesn’t feel right to go running to Lori like it’s the latest gossip. I need to protect him and his feelings, so I give her as little as possible while also recognising that I need someone to talk to.

“They had some issues, and when things got tough, she walked out on him,” I say, switching her to loudspeaker, then placing my phone on the windowsill and turning the bath taps on.

“The thing that annoys me the most is how she left him,” I continue as I pour lavender oil under the running water. “She didn’t even stay to talk through their problems or even consider how he might have been feeling; she just packed her bags and left. I mean, who does that?”

“A bitch, that’s who,” Lori says, her tone indicating her annoyance at the brutality of his wife’s actions.

“It took a lot for him to share with me what happened,” I say softly, remembering the look of loss in his eyes, the hurt on his brow. “I could see his pain, you know, and I just wanted to make it all better.” My eyes well up at the memory of him staring out to sea as he told me about the hardest time of his life. Dabbing my eyes, I know I have to change course; otherwise, I’m going to end up crying down the phone.

I still don’t want to break Owen’s trust, but I need to get Lori’s view on the whole family thing, as I don’t feel qualified to form an opinion of what I might have done in his wife’s situation.