Page 4 of Undone

I scooped her up in one smooth motion, cradling her against me as she tucked her head into my neck. She was out in seconds, her little arms draped around my shoulders.

Carrying her up to bed, a familiar pang tugged at my chest. After tucking her in and brushing a kiss on her forehead, I stood in the doorway for a minute, watching her sleep. My heart squeezed with the deep, protective instinct that always rose when I was with her.

Heading downstairs, I picked up the scattered markers and papers, pausing for a moment as I glanced at the drawing she made of the horse. I smiled to myself, then turned off the lights and settled into the quiet.

By the time I set off for Seattle, the sky was a dull, gloomy gray, though the rain held off. I’d decided to drive this time instead of flying. Flying would’ve been quicker, sure, but driving gave me more freedom—an easy way to make my own schedule. And, with the insane hotel prices in Seattle, especially with all the conferences and events going on, Dotty’s offer to crash at her apartment made sense.

At first, I didn’t think much of it when I accepted, but then Dotty casually mentioned her roommate, and I realized I hadn’t even considered that detail.

A weekend with a stranger in the same space wasn’t exactly ideal, but it wasn’t the end of the world either.

I’d heard bits about Noah over the years. Dotty always spoke highly of her—how easy she was to be around, and how she threw herself into teaching.

So, one weekend with a stranger who, from what I’d heard, seemed like a decent enough person would be fine. Besides, I was here for a reason—work, business, nothing more. I could handle the small discomfort of shared space.

I’d keep my head down, do what I came to do, and get out without causing any waves.

It’d be fine.

TWO

Noah - September

EXILE (FEAT. BON IVERS) - TAYLOR SWIFT

It was official.My life was a mess.

After a week of broken-down buses and too many takeout dinners, my life without Dotty was a slow unraveling of chaos. Not to mention how oddly distant—and frankly, off—my boyfriend, John, was lately.

My best friend had only been in Woodstone Falls for a few weeks, yet it felt like my world imploded without her.

Okay, that might be alittledramatic.

Dotty and I couldn’t have been more different, but somehow, it worked. She had a way of commanding attention just by walking into a room, while I was content to stay in the background, quietly observing. While her blonde hair cascaded in loose waves, mine tumbled in curls that framed my brown skin. She towered nearly six inches above me, while I barely reached five feet. Despite all our differences, we fit together in a way that simply made sense.

Those contrasts weren’t a wedge between us. They made us closer—the yin to my yang, the sugar to my spice.

And now there was a big piece of me that missed the easy friendship that Dotty and I had. There was something about having someone to confide in, especially now. With Dotty’s physical absence and John’s emotional one, I felt trapped in a pit of emptiness.

Adding to the upheaval, I wouldn’t be able to visit her next week as planned, since John needed me for a work event.

The only reason he was taking me was to play the part of the rich, handsome career man, with the doting teacher on his arm as his charity case.

And I hated feeling like this—questioning every interaction, wondering if I was being unfair or if my instincts were screaming at me for a reason. His distance was more deliberate lately, like a wall I wasn’t allowed to climb.

I stared at the sagging leaves of Dotty’s last surviving plant on the windowsill.

“It’s okay, sweet baby. You’ve got this. You can survive anything,” I said, though I knew this one was as far gone as the rest.

But as I said it, the words felt more of a reassurance meant for myself.

Talking to someone, or I guesssomething, was nice, though.

Lately, my main interactions were with the mailman and sporadic lunches with fellow teachers. Occasionally Dotty when I could catch her at a good time. Most of my conversations lately were with my six-and seven-year-old students. And as much as I loved my job, I was desperately in need of real adult interactions.

A knock interrupted my thoughts, and I hurried to the door.

Shit, that’s right. Dotty’s brother is coming for the weekend.

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