Page 119 of No Headlines Please

47

Keeping Score

Delaney

At the apartment door, Janet said from the hallway, "Are you sure you don't want any help?" Curious as ever, she peered past me toward Tessa's kitchen.

Reluctantly, I turned to look at the groceries lined up on the counter. They'd been delivered barely an hour ago, but they weren't for me.

They were for Tessa – or rather, Tessa's pantry. I was replacing everything I'd used while squatting here, uninvited.

Every can of peas, every box of pasta, every jar of spaghetti sauce – I'd made a detailed list so I could replace everything before I left.

I'd even gotten the brands right – not that anyone would've noticed but me.

Still, I was determined not to owe Tessa anything, except maybe an explanation the next time I saw her, whenever that might be.

It had been nearly a week since we'd talked on the phone, and I'd spent most of that time by myself – sulking, working, and thinking about the guy whose name I still didn't know.

I was pretty sure I hated him – but only because I had liked him so very much.

Five more minutes together, and I probably would've been head over heels.

God, I'd been such a fool.

During the past week, I'd also written a handful of condolence letters to Maisie, all of which I'd discarded.

I simply couldn't find the words, which was pretty pathetic, considering I wrote for a living.

The way it sounded, Maisie was actually happy. She had a new guy, a new best friend, and an entire life that had kept moving while I'd been standing still.

Was it really my place to go barging back in?

I was still eying the groceries when Janet said, "Honestly, I don't mind. I'm really good at packing."

Just this morning, I'd mentioned to her that I was leaving town tomorrow, and she'd been stopping by nonstop ever since.

I should've been used to it. Even before today, I swear, every time I opened the apartment door, there she was – leaving, returning, checking her mail, or lingering in the hallway while scrolling through her phone.

She must've been lonely. And I guess I was, too, which made the two of us seem closer than we actually were.

Or maybe she was simply one of those people who made a habit of collecting new friends, especially ones who never left the building.

I couldn't even be annoyed. It was nice to be wanted by somebody, right?

Damn it.

Enough with the self-pity.

I turned back with a smile. "Nah. I've got it, but thanks."

Janet was still peering into the kitchen. "I think I've got some boxes. I could go get them if you want."

"For the groceries?" I shook my head. "I'm not packing them. I'm putting them away."

"Really? So…why is everything lined up like that?"

I turned to look. It was because I was double-checking my list. Stupid or not, it seemed really important to keep everything exact.