Ruston had made himself scarce after realizing not only would this take a while, but that the rummaging through the closets rested squarely in girl territory. He and my brother would be on point the next day to load the small amount of furniture we’d decided to take with us.
“And this”—I held up a strapless dress toward Emmie—“would look much better on you.”
She rolled her eyes good-naturedly, well accustomed to me pushing clothes on her that would flatter her killer figure. “Fine,” she grumbled, reaching out to grab it. “Only good thing about your not being around; you’ll never know if I wear it,” she teased.
“I’m moving, not disappearing,” I reminded her, knowing despite her tone, my absence was hard on her. We’d been connected at the hip for most of our lives.
She wrapped an arm around me. “I know. And I’m so happy for you. Never seen you happier.”
“I’ve never been happier.” I smiled.
“You’re sure it’s okay that I take the couch and dining set?” Liv asked, appearing in the doorway.
“More than okay,” I assured her. “Saves me the hassle of trying to get rid of it. And you need to furnish your new apartment.”
“And you’re sure about the chairs?” Frannie asked after the chairs she could use at the bakery.
“Totally.” I nodded. “Ruston already had furniture, and what he didn’t have, for the most part we bought down in Bishop. Aside from a few pieces, and sentimental stuff, I don’t need it.”
“But you need this? Because Dolly Parton called, she wants her dress back.” Wren laughed, holding up a dress I’d bought for a costume party.
“Okay, soneedmight be a relative term,” I acknowledged, making them laugh. “But I know someone who would love that.” I grinned, thinking of Joanie.
“All right, we gotta make some progress,” Layla directed. “We’re supposed to be at the club in just a few hours.”
The Knights had insisted on a going-away party, not that anyone had needed to twist my arm. I was looking forward to it.
“Right,” I agreed, tossing the clothing in my hands into the nearest box. “I can always sort some of this at home.”
“That comes easy to you, doesn’t it?” Wren murmured thoughtfully.
“What does?” I asked in confusion.
“Bishop being home.”
“I really like Bishop.” I nodded. And I did, the more I explored the small town and got to know so many of the people through the club and the salon, the more I felt connected to the place. “But it’s more just Ruston.” I sighed contentedly. “I think I’d find home with him anywhere.”
“I know what you mean,” Emmie murmured knowingly, and I knew she was thinking of Gunner. Just as Wren was thinking of Max, Layla of Cash, and Ginnie, X. They all had what I had. They just hadn’t had to uproot their lives for it.
But Ruston was more than worth it. And truth be told, though I loved Hawthorne, I’d been ready to break free of the town where I’d been raised, despite how hard it was to leave everyone in it.
“All right, we’ve got to boogie,” Wren announced a few hours later as she rubbed her emerging baby belly. We’d gotten through almost everything. I was impressed with our progress. “We’ll meet you at the club.”
“Sounds good,” I agreed.
“I’ll stay and make sure this one doesn’t take five hours to get ready.” Emmie hooked a thumb in my direction.
“Who, me?” I asked innocently.
“Yes, you.” Emmie snorted as the rest of the girls made their way toward the front door with calls of farewell. “Okay, you. Let’s get you ready for your send-off.”
“Why are we in such a hurry?” I laughed at Emmie’s continual urging as I finished refreshing my makeup. I’d made fairly quick work of changing into jeans, a green tee, and a leather jacket I’d been excited to wear again.
“Everyone’s just excited to see you.” She shrugged as I climbed into the passenger side of Gunner’s truck she’d been driving.
“Whatever you say.” I was excited by the prospect of seeing everyone, including Ruston after most of the day spent apart.
When we pulled up to the club, so many familiar motorcycles parked out front, I felt my first pang of sadness that I was truly leaving.
