Chapter 1
Alexandra
I love the first night in a new place.
~ Ruth Rendell
“I’ll be right over,”I tell my cousin Lexi. “I’m knee-deep in boxes, hunting for shoes that possibly refused to cross state lines out of loyalty to the city that never sleeps.”
“I’m sorry! Moving is such a pain,” she says with her signature sympathy. “Do you want to borrow some of mine?”
“I’m a nine.”
“Okay, Bigfoot. Maybe I should call the National Park Service.”
“I know! The perils of my feet!” I open another box labeled KITCHEN. “Ah! Here they are! Movers, I tell you. I bet I’ll find my bathrobe in the box labeled OFFICE.”
“I’ll come help you unpack tomorrow,” Lexi promises. “Set all that aside. It’s time to have some fun! You are going to love my friends. And they’re going to love you.”
“I feel like I already know them with as much as you’ve told me. And I think you’re just excited for some time with grown-ups.”
“You know it! I love my kids and Trev, but a woman needs some girl time if she’s going to maintain her sanity.”
I barely met Lexi’s friends at her wedding. And that was years ago. They were appropriately preoccupied with her marrying her childhood best friend. I only flew in for the ceremony and flew out that same evening, so I never really spent time with this group of women that’s like a second family to my cousin.
“I’ll be right there.”
“How are you getting over here?” Lexi asks.
“The previous owners left a bike in the garage. I just had to sweep off some cobwebs and squirt the chain with the oil I found out there.”
“I can pick you up,” Lexi offers. “It’s freezing out. And they say we’re expecting snow.”
“Okay, if you don’t mind.”
“Are you kidding me? I haven’t seen you in years. And now you’re going to be living in Bordeaux! Give me a minute to kiss Trev and the kids goodbye. I’ll be right there.”
“I’ll be here.”
I hang up the call and set the KITCHEN box on my table. May as well unpack this one. Eventually they all have to be tackled. I landed today at the Columbus airport and took the bus to Bordeaux. Movers came yesterday and dropped off all my boxes before I arrived. My car should show up tomorrow—at least that’s what the website says.
I glance around my new house. It’s a far cry from my brownstone in Brooklyn. The quiet here feels like someone hit pause after a lifetime of sirens, trucks, and voices beyond my window at all hours. For a second, I almost miss hearing theneighbor who used to argue with her parakeet through my apartment wall.
This is an actual house—in a neighborhood. Feels more like being on Long Island with a front and back yard and a detached garage. I even have a porch.
I lift the plates out of the box and set them into one of the cupboards. I’m opening my third box when the lights from Lexi’s van flash through the kitchen windows. I grab my winter coat and scarf and head out to meet her on the driveway.
She hops out of the van and rushes at me, arms outstretched, face beaming.
“Alex!” Lexi wraps me in a hug, pinning my arms to my sides. Then she steps back, smiling warmly. “I can’t believe you’re actually here. How was the flight? Are you excited to start your new job? Do you like the house?”
I chuckle. “Good. Yes. And yes.”
“Sorry,” she shakes her head. “I’m excited.” She looks me up and down. “You look amazing for someone who traveled all day.”
“Thanks. It’s only a two-hour flight. And then the bus … I’m rested enough.”
“Your accent!” she gushes. “I love it. Ow-ah. Two ow-ah flight.”
