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She sighed. “I’m not going to pretend I wouldn’t. I care about people deeply, and that means doing things for them even when it’s not in my best interest. But I’ve been hurt by that before.”

“So have I,” I said. “Which is why I’m just helping. I’m not jumping into anything.”

“I’m not just talking about Gabriel.”

“Then who are you talking about?”

“You like those girls. I know you do.”

I wanted to deny it, but Grace knew me far too well. “A-and?”

“What happens when they leave?”

The words hit me hard. Grace had a good point. I’d been preparing myself for Gabriel’s departure. I also knew that it meant Agnes and Beatrice were going with him.

“I . . . I think it’s already too late to think like that. It’s a good point, though.” My gaze dropped to my feet. “Guess I’ll have to deal with that too when the time comes.”

Grace sighed and then stepped forward. She pulled me into a tight hug. “You care about people just as much as I do.”

My throat closed up and I had to fight myself not to cry. “I know.”

“You’re not gonna stop, are you?”

“No.”

“All right then.” She pulled away but locked her eyes with mine. “But it’ll be different this time.”

“Why do you say that?” I asked. “Do you think he’ll stay?”

“I don’t know about that. But you’ll have us. All of us.”

“I know. I’ve been thinking about that. At least when things go to shit, I won’t be alone.”

For a second, I wondered if she would argue with me. Maybe she would tell me that things wouldn’t go terribly this time. Instead, she only gave me a sad smile. “Right.”

There was no point in hoping. The last time I did that, I’d gotten myself into a very bad situation. Gabriel had been so sure he would leave, and I had hoped that there was some way that I could stop him.

There wasn’t.

“You do know that whoever is meant for you is coming, right?”

“I think I already met him.”

Grace blinked. “You care about him that much?”

“It’s not just me. I know he cares as well. You should have been there at dinner. The entire thing felt so easy.”

“Did you ever consider going with him?”

My entire body flinched before she even finished her sentence. I knew my answer. “No, this is my home and I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”

“I’m sorry. For what it’s worth, I do hope that there’s someone else out there for you.”

I almost opened my mouth to say what had been on my mind for years. I wished he would stay in this town. Then he would be perfect. The words tried to claw their way out of my throat, but I gritted my teeth and nodded.

What I didn’t want to admit was that I’d had a full-body shudder when I imagined myself with anyone else. Seeing him again, even if I was determined to stay only friends, reminded me of how right we felt.

It was cursed, though. It would end, just like it had the first time.