Page 79 of The Love We Make

“You seem pretty cut up about it.”

Tears prick behind my eyes, but I’m not going to cry in front of my ex. I try to think happy thoughts. Wyatt saying something inappropriate. Lucas deploying his boyish charms when he wants a piece of candy. My granddaughter sleeping in my arms. Those are the things that matter. Nora may not care about her family, but I love mine to absolute pieces. Argh. Fucking Nora.

“I’ll be fine. It’s just still very fresh and raw.”

“I’m sorry things didn’t work out,” Cathy says. “That sucks.”

“It’ll take some time, but I’ll be fine.” If only I could fast-forward a few weeks. Whereas a few days ago I was still adamant I’d confront Nora on set to at least get a tiny amount of closure from her, I’m not so sure anymore now. It’s been almost a full week without a sign from her. Add to that what Juan told me about Nora not wanting to give things another chance, and I pretty much know where I stand. Why drag it out? Why put myself through another painful conversation full of miscommunication and Nora misunderstanding my words, anyway?

I’ve been non-stop mulling over all the things Juan said since Thursday and I still can’t fully wrap my head around them. Nora has me questioning myself. My heart might have been in the right place when I broached the subject of her parents, but maybe I should have held back. I shake off the feeling. Unlike Nora, I have no problem with being myself and with the choices I make in the moment.

The bell rings again and my heart leaps into my throat again. It can’t be any of the kids—they come in through the back door.

“My cue to leave.” Cathy looks at me. “Unless you need me to stay.” She slides off her stool. “You’ve just gone pale as a ghost, Mimi. Are you sure you’re okay?”

I take a breath and nod. One thing I’ve learned from all of this is that falling in love is destabilizing at any age. I’m not better equipped to deal with any of this because I have a few more years on me since last time I gave my heart to someone. How funny that someone is standing in front of me right now.

“I’d better get that.” My heart hammers against my chest as I walk to the front door. It could be anyone but, against my better judgment, every single fiber of my being wants it to be Nora. I open the door. Juan and Imani stand in front of me. No sign of Nora.

Cathy says a quick goodbye, and then I’m sitting in my kitchen with Nora’s best friends.

“We’re going to need a good bottle of wine for this,” Juan says.

“Is Nora okay?” I ask, because them showing up like this looks a little ominous.

“Physically, she’s fine. Fit as an Olympic gold medalist.” Juan obviously has some venting of his own to do. “Mentally.” He huffs out a mouthful of air. “Complete and utter chaos.”

I take a bottle of white wine from the fridge and pour them drinks.

“She’s done a number on herself again,” Imani says. “I’m sorry she hurt you, Mimi.”

“Clearly, I hurt her, too.”

“Nora’s very good at hurting herself,” Juan says. “She’s trying to punish us as well now, but after two decades by her side, we’re pretty immune to her drama.”

“Still,” Imani says. “It’s different this time around. She’s different because… Nora doesn’t just fall in love like that. She doesn’t let herself. But she let herself fall in love with you, Mimi, and that’s not something we can ignore.”

“It’s as if she wants to punish herself extra hard because she considers herself extremely foolish and stupid for letting herself surrender like that,” Juan says.

“Poor Nora,” I say without thinking.

“No, Mimi. Our pity is the last thing Nora needs,” Juan is quick to say.

“What does she need, then?” Why are they here? They must want something from me.

“Look.” Imani shuffles in her seat. “What we’re about to ask you is not fair or reasonable. It’s pretty crazy, actually.”

I arch up my eyebrows.

“By the time Nora’s ready to apologize, to see how impossibly Nora she’s being about this, you’ll have moved on, Mimi, because it’s going to take for fucking ever,” Juan says. “It’s not that she’s not capable of it, but she’s slow. Well, she’s clueless, most of all. Despite having the best counsel possible from her best friends.” He clicks his tongue. “She’s being impossible, and we know it’s way too much to ask of you, but we’re here to beg for your help.”

“My help?” I scoff. “It’s like I’ve suddenly stopped existing as far as Nora’s concerned.”

“We know,” Imani says. “What we’re about to ask of you is selfish and foolish. A bit like how Nora can be, really. But that’s not all Nora is. We have been friends with her, much more than friends, for so long for a reason. Nora has a huge heart. She has done so much for so many people, myself and Jay included, and no one will ever know about it. She has her heart in the right place, Mimi. She absolutely does, but when it comes to intimate relationships, she’s completely oblivious.”

“What do you want me to do?” Nora may have the biggest charitable heart on the planet, that doesn’t give her the right to break mine again.

“Go to her,” Juan says. “Because she can’t come to you.”

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