Page 50 of From Us, Forever

Sighing, I stepped out, and a cold breeze swept across my face. I smiled as I tilted my chin to the grayness smothering the sky. The clouds were ready to burst out anytime now.

“Come on.” Jay laced his fingers with mine and guided us to the big black car with tinted windows and a curious Strawberry following us.

“Hey, Tyler.” I nodded as he held the car door open for me. He only gave me a chin lift, which I was used to at this point. Strawberry jumped in, immediately settling herself in the back seat with her nose stuck to the window.

“Are you still nervous and excited?” Jay asked, his eyebrows knotted as he gazed at me.

“Hmm, kinda,” I mumbled against his chest as Tyler drove us to Bellevue. “I feel nervous because I’m not sure how I’ll feel once I get there. You know that house wasn’t just about you and me. It was about Auntie M too.”

“And excited because?”

“I get to relive my teenage dream with you all over again.”

His lips twitched as he planted a quick kiss on my lips. “If that involves you being naked all the time, then I’m down.”

“Ass,” I muttered, settling back in his arms.

It was pouring wildly by the time we made it to Bellevue, and it was only when I stepped out and peered at the worn-down blue house that I remembered why I was here. It struck me that I hadn’t thought about the paparazzi incident, and that would’ve been a different case if it had happened a few months ago. I guess I was sinking into this new version of myself much better than I thought.

“You ready?” Jay questioned with a smile as he stood by the door.

I pulled my jacket closer and replied, “Yes,” as I climbed up to the porch.

Jay’s soft blues locked on mine. “Here.” He handed me the key dangling on a pink strawberry keychain.

Sucking in a deep breath, I traced my fingers over the cold metal. “Back to square one, huh?”

“Or”—Jay cocked his head—“beginning of an end.”

“End?” I muttered, turning the key in the lock and drawing the door open.

“End to the pain and suffering.”

“That sounds good,” I absentmindedly replied as I stepped in.

My eyes immediately took in the modern decor on the inside. It looked exactly like it did all those years ago, with pale pink walls, wooden flooring, dark furniture, and low-lit yellow lights. The only difference was that everything was brand new and polished.

“I had this place restored,” Jay commented just as Tyler set our bags by the door and vacated with yet another chin lift.

“Incredible,” I mumbled, turning straight to the bedroom downstairs. Swallowing the thick lump down my throat, I twisted the knob with clammy hand.

Everything was exactly how she left it, only now vacant and lifeless. My feet dragged on their own accord to the little spot facing the window, and just like I predicted, the floor creaked under my foot.

A watery smile curved my lips as the memory of Auntie M and I crouched on this floor, trying to fix the floorboard andfailing terribly popped into my head. Instead, we got takeout and pigged out on the couch watchingGrey’s Anatomy. Shaking out the wave of nostalgia, I realized I was no longer sad at that memory and was finally accepting the truth that she was gone.

I traced a lone finger on the edge of the windowpane, taking in the sense of peace and calm outside, unlike the constant buzz of the city.

I’m back home, Auntie M.

Taking a moment of silence, I bid her goodbye and softly closed the door behind me.

“You good?” Jay wrapped his arms around me, holding my head to his chest.

“Better than I’ll ever be.”

“Why don’t you take a shower, and I’ll grab us something to eat?”

A cheeky grin tugged my lips. “Why don’t we shower together?”

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