Istand on the sidewalk and cross my arms as the moving truck drives away.After all the work I went through to make this move happen, I’m not changing my mind.My feelings haven’t changed.I’m hoping Kent’s will when he sees that I’m staying.

So many times, I’ve picked up my phone to text him, but in just a few days, I’ll be able to talk to him in person.I miss his hugs, his smile.I miss Kent.

My next job is to clean this apartment, and then I’m done for the night.I plan to crash in my hotel room and order room service.Maybe I’ll even make it a mini spa night.I’ll use a face mask, paint my toenails.

I send Sarah a video chat request.“My stuff is headed for Texas.”I flip to the back camera and move the phone so that she can see the empty apartment.

“I’m going to miss you.”

“Don’t forget dinner Sunday night.You aren’t rid of me yet.”I refuse to stand in an empty apartment and cry.

“What will you do until then?”

“I booked a hotel room with a view of the city.It’s near Times Square.I’ll send over my room number when I have it.In case you’re in the area.”This weekend is my long farewell to this city.“But first I have to clean this place.”

“Need any help moving the last few things?”

“It’s only two suitcases.I can easily manage that.But thanks.”

“I’ll be here until late if you want to talk.”She leans close to the camera.“I hope everything works out.”

“Me too.”Once I figured out what I wanted, lots of other details fell into place, some more quickly than others.“I’ll be back to work on Tuesday.My apartment will be very empty until the truck arrives, but I’ll sit on the floor and work.”

“How did you find a place to live so quickly?”

“Cami told me that Tessa moved out of her place, and I snagged the apartment.”

She glances away, then focuses back on the phone.“Things really fell into place.”

“Yeah.Listen.I’ll let you go.I need to get busy.”

“Talk to you later.”She ends the call.

After walking through the apartment, I set to work, scrubbing, mopping, and vacuuming.

I stop when my phone buzzes.

Tandy:Thinking of you.

Thinking of you?Do I want to know why?I’m not sure why Tandy is sending me a message that sounds like it’s straight off a Hallmark card, but there is no such thing as a short conversation with Tandy, and I’m already emotional.

I like her text, then get back to work.It’ll take me hours to make this place sparkle.

Chapter 28

Kent

Never in a million years did I think I’d be traveling with Tandy and be happy about it, but I am.With her help, I’m on the subway, headed toward Poppy’s apartment.We left the airport on a train, transferred to a subway, and I’d have been lost without her help.

So far, my only regret is bringing my hat.I should’ve left it in Parker’s truck.

A woman saunters up and grabs the pole beside me.“Hello, cowboy.”

“Go away.He’s taken.”Tandy dismisses the woman with a wave of her hand.Decked out in a purple tracksuit, Tandy looks like a force to be reckoned with, and so far today, no one has argued with her.

I try not to think about how what she said could be misinterpreted, but right now, I don’t care.Tandy is helping me get to Poppy.That’s what’s important.

But we must look like a hoot riding the subway together.