Page 115 of Wells

"That's great. I'm happy for you."

I don't respond, letting him fill the silence if he wants to.

"Can I come by this afternoon?"

"I might have to run out," I lie. I have nowhere to go. "If I do, I'll leave the door unlocked. There's nothing in here to steal."

He laughs. "Except my bocce set."

"Right. Except that. What time do you think? I'll try to make sure I'm here so I can say goodbye properly." Another lie, and a jab at his inability to give a proper goodbye when breaking up with someone after two years.

"Maybe when you get back from India, we can get together."

I close my eyes. Take a breath. I'm so tired of this.

"I don't think so, Cas."

The line goes quiet. I can hear him breathing.

"I really am sorry for how it ended. For all of it."

"I know. Me, too."

"We had good times, though."

"We did. And they're over."

"You really mean it."

"I do."

Another pause.

"Okay. I get it. I hope India's everything you want."

"Thanks, Cas."

"I'll be by around six today. Would love to see you, but if I miss you, take care of yourself, Cera."

You will definitely miss me. I just remembered I'm planning to go on a walk right around that time.

"You, too."

I end the call and set the phone on the counter.

I pick up the packing tape and finish sealing the last box. The woman who would have accepted half a relationship is already gone. She left before I did.

Six months later

The humidity slaps me the second I step out of the terminal. My clothes stick to my skin, and the noise of the arrivals zone hits like a wall. Announcements crackle overhead, people shout into their phones, and luggage wheels clatter on the pavement.

The heat is the same. New Orleans in September is thick and wet, nothing like the dry air of Rishikesh that smelled like jasmine and rain.

I scan the crowd for Locke and spot him leaning against a post near the rideshare pickup. He sees me the same second and pushes off, walking fast.

He folds me into a hug before I can say a word. His arms squeeze tight, and I drop my bag and hug him back.

When he pulls away, he holds me by the shoulders and looks me over.