Page 263 of My Rules

I nod and stay silent. “Does he ever ask about me?”

“Not really.”

I twist my fingers together on my lap, not sure if I even want an answer to this question. “Does he love his new girlfriend?”

“He doesn’t talk about her to me.”

“But you know of her?”

“Yeah, I know of her.”

“Did he tell you that I went to New York to see him?”

“Yes.”

“What did he say?”

“He just asked me to watch over you when you got back to make sure you’re okay.”

An unexpected lump forms in my throat. That’s my Blake, always thoughtful.

“I might just wait for Juliet at home.” I stand.

“You okay?”

“Depends what day you ask me.” I smile.

“Do you need help with the move?”

“No, I’m all packed, and the truck comes on Saturday.”

“Are you sad to be leaving?”

“Yes and no.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well ... for so long, all I wanted to do was hold on to my house. Now all it reminds me of is that it cost me Blake, so ...” Stop talking. I shrug, embarrassed. “Anyway, I’m going to get going. I’m just rambling.”

“Goodbye.”

“Bye.”

Moving day is never fun, but this one is especially hard.

How do you say goodbye to friends that you thought you would know for life? The moving truck is full of my furniture, and one by one, my friends and neighbors turn up on my front lawn to say goodbye.

I’ll see them again, of course, when I come to visit Juliet, but the reality is that things will change.

I will become the outsider who is just visiting.

I’ve cried all the tears that I can cry, and honestly, I just want to be rid of this house and the bad memories it holds.

Funny thing is that it’s not even bad memories of my marriage anymore. This is the house that cost me Blake. The love of my life.

And no matter how many times I can try and tell myself that it’s fine, it isn’t fine. It will never be fine.

I click Daisy’s lead on, and we walk out front. “You all ready to go?” Henley asks.

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