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She squeezed my hand.

I looked toward the television, remembering all the Sundays I’d sat in this room while Dad yelled at whatever game was on and argued with players who obviously couldn’t hear him.

“I can’t stop thinking about the last time I saw him.”

“Sam, you didn’t know.”

“I should’ve called him.”

“You did.”

“Once.” My throat tightened. “I called him once, Leanne. What if he’d been waiting for me all week? What if he thought I didn’t care?”

“He knew you cared.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Yes, I do.” She turned toward me. “Because I knew your dad. That man knew you loved him. Everybody knew you loved him.”

My eyes filled again.

“I didn’t even get to tell him I was sorry.”

Leanne pulled me against her, and I let my head fall onto her shoulder.

“Everything is changing at the same time,” I whispered. “Dad’s gone. I’m done with Preston. You’re leaving tomorrow. I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do now. I feel like I’m losing everyone.”

“You’re not losing me.” Her arms tightened around me. “I don’t care if I’m in New York, Paris, Milan, or on the other side of the fucking world. I’m still your best friend. You call me whenever you need me.”

A laugh tried to escape through my tears. “From Paris?”

“Especially from Paris. I’ll be surrounded by skinny French women who hate me. I’ll need the entertainment.”

I laughed for real that time, although it immediately turned into another quiet sob.

Leanne rubbed my back.

“And you have Richard.”

I closed my eyes.

“He’s been here every day.”

“Good. Let him be here. You don’t have to do all of this by yourself just because your dad isn’t here anymore.”

We stayed on the couch for a while longer, neither of us willing to be the first to stand. It was getting late, and Leanne still had packing to finish before her flight. I had no reason to keep her there, only the selfish hope that she might stay another hour. She gathered her purse and jacket from the chair near the front door while I followed her into the foyer.

“I’ll call you when I land.”

“You better.”

She looked at me for a moment before pulling me into another hug.

“I love you, Sam.”

I squeezed my eyes shut and held on to her.

“I love you too.”