Page 117 of We Were Something
“Your entire world changed overnight, Paige.”
At her stern tone, I stop objecting.
“Even if you hadn’t done any of that shit for Lucas or been an amazing friend to all the other people in your life, it doesn’t matter. You faced the possibility that your life could end, and you stomped your foot and said, ‘Not today.’ But your world changed forever and that’s no easy thing.”
Penny’s eyes pin me with their sincerity, and I’m reminded of how much my sister and I went through together when everything happened. How she held my hand and lived at my side for weeks as I grieved and dealt with my new reality.
The pregnancy had been a shock, and the miscarriage even more so. And then within weeks, I was having a surgery that would take away my ability to have a family.
My sister took care of me. Got me to my doctor’s appointments. Called my school and filled out paperwork.
She was a saint, and I love her so much for being the one family member who has always put me first, made sure I know I matter.
“You want to believe you’re a mooch? That you just live off mom and dad because you don’t have any dreams or goals or whatever? Fine. But don’t forget that youdidhave those dreams and goals, and then you faced death like a fucking champion. So who cares if you’re a mooch? You’re still alive.”
I shake my head.
“You sure know how to make a girl feel like she matters,” I tell her, unable to hide my smile.
“Well I figure we are the only people who have always proved it to each other,” she points out, stabbing her fork into her dinner. “Sometimes, you just need a reminder.”
“I’ve been in dire need of a girls night,” Lennon says as the three of us take a seat on the patio at the Hermosa Beach Yacht Club the following evening. “I just wish it could have been all of us.”
“I know,” I say, my nose scrunching up. “I’m surprised everyone was so busy.”
“Well, sometimes it’s not so bad for it to be just us,” Hannah points out, shrugging a shoulder. “I mean, I love the other girls, but I feel so much closer to the two of you.”
I beam at Hannah’s assessment of our friendship.
“Same, girl, same.”
We put in a drinks order and do a quick catch-up, mostly focusing on how Hannah has been feeling post-surgery and on Lennon’s next event for work. It’s an easy chat, especially since neither of them focus their questions on me and what happened with Logan.
I already gave them a full rundown so there’s no need to rehash anything, but I still appreciate that they aren’t asking if I’ve heard from him or if I know when he’ll be back in town. Because the answer to both of those questions is no.
When I first shared everything, they seemed shocked by the idea that Logan would stay in Seattle permanently. I think they assumed he’d be back at some point, and honestly, I assumed it too. But having been there, having seen his mom go day after day without waking up, I just knew it would come down to him staying up there to help her rehabilitate, whatever that looks like.
He really is an amazing son. I don’t doubt for a second that he would change his entire life to make sure his mom is okay. And if that means moving back to Seattle just a few months after relocating his entire life, he’d do it. I know he would.
“Penny and I set a date for moving,” I interject into the conversation once there’s a lull.
Lennon and Hannah look at me, their expressions neutral.
“December 1st. Two weeks. That way we can set up and have a first little Christmas, just the two of us.”
The two of them glance at each other.
“Come on, you guys. I know it’s not what you want, but it’ll be good for me to go back to school, get my mind focused on something.”
Hannah nods. “I totally get it. I just don’t understand why you can’t go to schoolhere.”
I shrug my shoulders. “I could, but Penny’s right. Moving will give some new perspective. Shake things up. And it’s simple to just slip back into my program instead of transfer all my courses. Besides, I can come back in a few years, you know? And by then, who knows…maybe you guys will be married and have kids and stuff.”
Lennon laughs and then slaps her thighs. “You know what? I think that’s our cue. You know what sounds fun?”
I lift an eyebrow. “Another round?”
“No, let’s go take a wander through the docks. Lucas is thinking about buying a boat, and he’s been all secretive so I want to go hunt it down.”
