Emily set down her coffee and rubbed her forehead. “I don’t even know.”
“Wanna change the subject?”
“Please.”
Blair picked up her phone. “Well… Rocko and I had a heart-to-heart last night, and I finally relaxed, and we…” Her eyebrows bobbed.
Emily let go of the other things she’d been thinking about and focused on her friend. “Oh, that’s wonderful. You feel okay?”
“Yeah. I think I needed time, and then we were here, away from our real lives, no service on our phones, completely set apart from the world. It was just the two of us, and it was so nice.”
“I’m thrilled for you two.”
“Thanks,” Blair said, her chest rising blissfully. She practically glowed. “I can’t believe it. Sienna finally told Tyson they’re expecting, and the same night, Rocko and I were able to connect like we used to. Maybe there’s something magical here.” She waved an arm toward the view.
Emily wanted to offer a cute comment to include herself in that magic, but when it came to The Broken Hearts Beach Club, she was the final surviving member, still racked with indecision and confusion.
“Maybe,” she said, not wanting to get back into it.
“And…” Blair swiped open an app and turned her phone around. “I posted.”
On the screen was a photo of all of them from behind, sitting together in their sundresses on the beach.
Emily reached out and took the phone to read the caption.
Introducing The Broken Hearts Beach Club, a small association with only one entry requirement: A shattered heart and an incredible sense of humor.
One of us lost a baby.
One of us is changing her perspective.
One of us is learning to live on her own terms.
But somehow, here we are! Sunburned, salty, and still managing to laugh. Grief brought us together, and storms ripped through us, but this spot is where we remembered that healing takes time, open hearts, and sandy feet. I’m doing okay. And I promise to post more soon.
#BrokenHeartsBeachClub #Grief #Healing #SaltyAndStrong
Emily raised her eyebrows at the responses. “Twenty-one thousand likes, 5,684 comments, and 432 shares? I’d say your first step back into social media was a success.” She handed the phone to Blair. “Congratulations on a wonderful returning post. How do you feel?”
“I feel amazing. You know, talking to Julia really changed things for me.”
Immediately, Emily’s mind went back to her time with Patrick on the sofa at Julia’s that stormy night. She pushed the thought away, not knowing what to do with the flutter in her chest.
“I wish we could repay her for her kindness somehow,” Emily said. “A gift seems too small for what she did. But I don’t know what would be a good gesture.”
“Maybe we could offer to have them all come to Nashville sometime,” Blair suggested.
“Maybe…” Her pulse quickened at the idea of Patrick showing up on her turf.
“Good morning.” Will’s voice floated over to them.
It felt out of place.
He opened a few cabinets, found a mug, and poured himself a cup of coffee. “Mind if I join you two?” he asked.
Emily shrugged, a pinch forming immediately in her shoulder. She rubbed it, unsuccessfully managing the tweak, and peered out the window.
Will took a seat next to her and nodded good morning to Blair, who offered an uncomfortable smile in response. Blair, too, had lost something in all this. She and Rocko had been their best friends, and Will had ruined that as well. It had to be weird for Blair to try to be kind to Will while also supporting Emily.
