Dad puts the last bag in my trunk and closes it before turning and pulling me in for a hug.I freeze for a second, then wrap my arms around him tightly.When was the last time we hugged like this?A long time ago.
“I’m so proud of you,” he murmurs.
“I love you, Dad.”
“I love you, sweetheart.Now go show them what Thomas women are made of.”
Chapter 33
Regan
Igripthesteeringwheel tighter as the GPS murmurs directions I already know by heart.
Welcome back.
I pull up outside Mom’s brownstone and quickly text Dad to let him know I’ve made it.
The second I slam the door shut, I hear the building’s front door creak open.
She’s already running down the steps.
“Mom,” I say on a laugh, barely getting the word out before she wraps me in a hug so tight it knocks the air from my lungs.
“I missed you so much,” she says, squeezing me again.
“I missed you too.”I bury my face in her shoulder, breathing in her familiar scent, lemon and the faintest whiff of lavender.Home.
She pulls back just enough to look me over.“I’ll give you a hand with your bags.”
“Thanks.”I force myself to sound happy, hoping it’s enough to deflect so she can’t see how much I’m struggling.
“Whose car is this?”
“Mine.Sort of.The old one broke down on the way to work last month, and this was...well, the best I could get on short notice.”
I hate that I have to lie.Brant bought it.I haven’t had a chance to pay him back, if he’d even accept it.And now that I’m gone… does it even matter?
She hums, running a hand along the hood.“It’s cute.Very you.”
It is me.He chose something I’d actually like.It’s as if he knew me better than I wanted to admit.
We haul the bags up the narrow stairwell to the apartment, the wheels thumping against each step.Here, the air’s thick, with no open space, no view of the hills, just the tight comfort of four walls that hold everything in.
“So,” she starts once we’re in the kitchen, “what’s the plan tomorrow before you start on Monday?”
I lean against the counter, brushing hair from my face.I didn’t have time to think about anything past getting here.Didn’t let myself ponder what comes next, because thinking or feeling means falling apart.“Probably call some friends, catch up, maybe grab food, and just… prep for work.”
Her eyes soften.“Excited?”
“Yeah.I am.It’s the job I’ve wanted.I just…” I exhale.“There’s a lot I haven’t processed yet.”Because on the three-hour drive, I didn’t think about the job.My mind was solely on Brant and how much distance I was putting between us.I kept replaying the party, the way he stood in the back and then left without a word.The way his office was cleared out like he’d never been there at all.
Like we’d never been anything at all.
She rubs my arm, her thumb tracing small circles.“Fill me in while we wait for noodles.I already ordered from our favorite place.”
I smile at that.“You know me too well.”
“Yeah, well…” She smiles.“You seemed a little flat when you got out of the car.Just tired?”
