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I sighed. “I don’t know.”
“Or did you move to get away from him? And the memories of that night?”
“Both, okay? You know that. I didn’t move away. I ran away. And it didn’t fix anything.”
She gazed at me hopefully. “Then why don’t you move back?”
“Because I have a job and a life down there.”
“And family up here.”
“Too much family,” I said sourly. “And it’s only getting bigger. And there is no way I could stand to be around him. Family brunches, dinners, Christmases…”
Alyssa gasped. “You’re not coming back for Christmas? Like, ever?”
“You may have to start doing Christmas in California if you ever want to see me again.”
“Well, damn.” She looked kind of sad and I hated that I was disappointing her on this. But she had to know I wasn’t moving back. “I’ll confess… I’d really hoped that when you saw him again it wouldn’t be as bad as you feared, and maybe somehow I’d get you back.”
“Sorry. Not the case. It was way, way worse than I feared, and he is way bigger of an asshole than we ever imaged.”
She sighed. “Well, if you’re really only here for five weeks…” She raised her wine in cheers. “Let’s make the most of it. I’ve got my best friend back and I couldn’t be happier. At least be happy for me, okay?”
“I am happy to be here. With you.” I tapped my drink to hers and sipped.
“And with your mom?” she prompted.
“And with my mom.”
“Good. Then maybe you can finally let the guilt about her engagement party go. Wipe the slate clean between the two of you and start fresh. This is an exciting chapter in Margot’s life. She finally found a keeper. Because we all know your dad wasn’t that.”
“Very true.”
“And neither were the other losers she married in between.”
I groaned. “Don’t I know it. Remember husband number three? Lennox? The stuffy antiques dealer? He wassucha snob.”
“The one with the moth collection?”
“That was husband number two.”
Alyssa shuddered. “God. He was a snob, too. Can you imagine screwing that guy?”
“No, I cannot.”
“Jacob Ellis is a serious upgrade.”
“Yeah,” I agreed. “He is that.”
* * *
That evening, after eating dinner with Mom and Jacob, I went into the sunroom with Mom’s wedding book and all her notes and spread them around me on the floor.
The house was so much quieter with only the three of us here, but it was cozy as the evening sky darkened outside and lights twinkled in the gardens. The sunroom itself had a warm glow at night.
I felt more comfortable here than I expected to, considering that Shane grew up in this house.
Maybe because Aunt Madeleine had overseen a complete redesign of the interior of the house, which Jacob had paid for, when Mom moved in. And Madeleine was an incredible designer.
