Page 110 of Born to Make You Smile

The house sold in two weeks in a bidding war for a shocking one hundred grand over asking.

Gavin most likely knew about the house being on the market, as well as the selling. It was hard to miss with the many signs in the front.

I’d see him periodically. We’d wave or exchange brief pleasantries. Being away from him was one thing, but seeing him was heart-wrenching. I wasn't even sure if he'd want me back after everything that transpired. If what I was doing would be enough in the end. How could he ever trust me after everything I did to him?

***

One evening in April, I was cleaning the garage when Charlotte and Mackenzie came up to me.

“Hey, girls,” I said, putting a set of stray tools into a labeled bag.

“Grace! Hi! We haven’t seen you inforever,” Mackenzie said with a pout. “You haven’t been over for pizza and game night in sooo long.”

My shoulders sagged with guilt.

“I know, I’m sorry. I’ve been very busy.” I placed the bag of tools into a cardboard box. “Getting things ready and packing. You know I sold this house, right?”

“We know. Dad told us.” Charlotte frowned. “Why did you sell?”

“Sometimes people need a change. They need to move. This house was too big. Too much for me to maintain on my own.”

“Where are you gonna live?” Charlotte asked, worried.

“I don’t know yet.” I shrugged. “Right now, I’m living with some friends, but we’ll see.”

Mackenzie’s body sulked. “I hope you don’t go too far away.”

I took her hand in mine. “I promise. I won’t. And tell you what, one night I’ll take you both to Joly’s for dessert if it’s okay with your dad.”

It definitely wasn’t fair to the girls that I couldn’t spend time with them. It wasn’t their fault Gavin and I broke up.

“Okay!” Mackenzie exclaimed. “What about tonight? Right now?”

I smiled. “Sure. But better ask your dad first.”

“Dad!” Charlotte shouted, facing her house. My pulse spiked as I saw Gavin walking over from his yard in a fitted green sweater and black pants.

I rubbed my dusty hands on my jeans and tried to calm myself.

Over the past few months, his hair had become heavier with gray. It made him appear more mature and distinguished. Even more handsome, if that was possible.

“Hi, Gavin.” I flashed him a tight smile and a wave, trying to hide my discomfort.

“Grace. Hello.” He shoved his hands in his pockets, peering into the garage. “I heard you sold. Congrats.”

I nodded, my eyes darting around. It was so damn hard to look at him. “Thanks.”

“That must have been difficult,” he said with a drawn expression.

I sighed. “It had to be done.”

“So,” he said, scratching his forehead, “when’s closing?”

I glanced at him, then back down. “End of May.”

“Quite soon. Where will you live?”

“I’m actually living at Dorina and Vanessa’s condo right now. But I’ll have to start looking for my own place soon.” I continued to nod awkwardly, unsure of what else to say.

---