Page 13 of Falling For Us Again

"How's Aunt Mila?"

"She's doing great, still a force to be reckoned with in the world of finance."

"I was shocked to hear you were back in town. I almost didn’t believe it until I got your text. I’ve been in New York for the past week."

I run a hand through my hair. "You and me both. I didn't think I’d ever come back here."

"There’s been rumors for a while that you were planning to sell the property."

"That’s true. I still intend to sell it," I say, a hint of melancholy underlying my words. "I’m just here to take one last look, mostly because Aunt Mila insisted."

She raises a curious brow. “I always hoped that someday you would come back. Now, you've decided to sell it?”

I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "Yes. I feel like the final piece that’s preventing me from moving forward is this house. "

"I can understand that. Sometimes letting go is necessary for healing.”

"Exactly. Every corner of this house reminds me of the past. While some of those memories of my mom are beautiful, the majority are just too painful."

"And Aunt Mila?" Lola asks. "What does she think?”

“She says I should spend some time here because there are some things, some things, that I can only uncover by being here.” I make air quotes as I say that.

“I don’t know why I dwell on it. It seems ridiculous thinking about it now.”

Lola considers this for a moment and lets out a sigh. "Wow, Jenna. That sounds heavy."

"It is," I agree. "Part of me wants to move on and not be anchored by the past, but another part of me feels guilty about letting go of something so significant. I guess that’s why I’m here—one final visit to decide if I’m ready to let go completely or if there’s still something worth holding on to."

She reaches out to squeeze my hand one more time. "How are you feeling being back here?"

"It's been a little overwhelming," I confess. "I turn a corner, and a distinct memory resurfaces. Even now, as we sit here, I’mreminded of those Saturdays when everything was simpler—my mother and I sitting together like this.”

“She’d do her pedicure, and I’d ask her to do mine as well." I let out a small laugh.

"But I know I need to face this place one last time," I continue, my voice steadying. "I need to confront my demons and find a way to move on."

Lola hesitates, glancing at me cautiously. "I don’t know if I should bring this up, but... Dylan."

My muscles tense. "What about him?"

“Did you get a chance to talk about the past? I was surprised to see him here, but I guess I shouldn't. You two always find each other.”

I shake my head. “We haven't really spoken, and I don’t know if I want to. It’s not going to make a difference.

"I understand," Lola replies, her gaze intent on mine. "But you never know. It's worth discussing, at least to clear the air. And the way you both looked at each other, there's still something there, I know it.”

My hands tremble slightly as I pour the water into the coffee machine. “It’s not that simple.”

"Do you still resent him?" Lola asks gently.

"In some ways, perhaps I do," I admit. "But in other ways, I wonder if I really have a right to resent him. I was the one to break his heart, and if I was in the same situation again, I’d still make the same decision.

I guess most of my resentment is tied to this place itself." I pause, searching for the right words. "With Dylan, I’m not even sure resentment is the right word. Maybe it’s just a deep disappointment about what could have been if things were different.”

"I’m sure he feels the same way," Lola says softly.

"Maybe so," I reply. "But it’s all in the past now, I don’t even think about him anymore.

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