Page 31 of Rule Breakers Fall Hardest

So far, I’ve successfully avoided thinking about what it’ll be like once it’s just the two of us.

As I stick my acrylic organizer in the box, the makeup inside slides around, making an obnoxious sound.

“Why do you have so many of the same thing?” Lip curled, Daire points to the drawer with my liquidlip shades.

“Because they’re all different colors,” I answer, digging deep for patience.

“If it’s okay with you, I’ll head down to the truck with some of these boxes.”

“That’s fine.”

When he’s gone with the first load, Bertie appears again and watches me from the doorway. When she said she wasn’t going to help, she meant it.

“I can feel your judgment from here,” I mutter, head stuck inside the cabinet under the sink as I pull out my stash of shampoos and conditioners. What can I say? My hair is high maintenance and I have to swap out what I’m using often.

“Good. I’m glad.”

I turn to glare at her, bumping my head in the process. I wince and rub at the now throbbing spot.

She presses a hand against her mouth, trying to hold in her laughter, but fails.

“I hate you.”

Her laughter only grows. “No, you don’t.”

With a sigh, I drop several bottles of shampoo into the box. “You’re right, I don’t, but I should.”

“And you should get an annulment.” She shuffles closer, snags her lip balm from the counter, and swipes it onto her lips. “Helping him like this is beyond just being nice.”

“I know.” I double check that I have all my toiletries, then carry the box back to my room where I left the tape.

“But you’re not going to do anything about it?”

My shoulders droop. “Bertie, there’s a child involved in this. I… I can’t back out now.”

Her lips turn down in a frown. “You’re a better person than me.”

I laugh. “I don’t think so. I’m just helping an old friend.”

“But you’re not friends now,” she reminds me.

My heart lurches at the reminder. “I know.” I pull my hair back into a ponytail and secure it with an elastic I always keep on my wrist. “I’m sure it makes no sense to you. It barely makes sense to me. But I know in my gut I have to do this.”

Shaking her head, she opens her arms to me. “I’m going to miss having you as a roomie.”

I step into her embrace and give her a squeeze. “You have no idea.”

She picks up a box and balances it on her hip. “I’ll carry this one box.” Then she holds up her index finger and wiggles it. “But that’s all I’m doing since I don’t condone this.”

I laugh, picking up a clear bin I filled with clothes. “Jesus.” I grunt under the weight.

Bertie shakes her head. “Get a light one. Leave the heavy stuff for Daire.”

“That’s an excellent plan.” I set the bin down, then test the weight of a nearby box and find it manageable enough for me to carry.

Just as we’re about to head out, Daire returns for more stuff. “Where did you get that?” I ask, pointing to the dolly he has now.

“Swiped it from the janitor’s closet.” He grins, clearly very proud of himself.

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