Page 49 of The Trust We Broke
The whole thing took on a meaning of its own when Grudge rode us out on his bike to our spot. A beautiful lookout point by a lake, surrounded by tall pines. A small dock jutted overthe water, and we exchanged our vows in the watery morning sunshine with a mobile officiant and a couple of witnesses from a nearby town.
Grudge looked so handsome in a black shirt and pressed jeans. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt more in love with someone than I did in that moment.
Even Henry.
Looking back, I thought I was happy with my ex. We had stability and friendship, and he made me laugh. We had the same goals. To make enough money to have a good life, while only doing good.
But with the lens of hindsight, I can see he was only a lukewarm substitute for the man I’m currently avoiding.
I look over to Quinn. “It was a romantic day, for sure.”
Even I hear the longing in my voice.
“Can I ask you something personal?” Quinn asks.
“I might not answer.”
“Why did you divorce him?”
I look over to the cases. “That’s a story he probably deserves to hear first.”
“That’s fair. And listen, I’m the queen of carrying emotional baggage, and probably the very last person who should be offering any advice in this situation. But trust me when I say, finding a way to get all that off your chest and out into the universe is incredibly liberating.”
My chest expands a little, cracking around the edges as she speaks.
I want that. More than I am willing to express out loud.
“I’m sorry if I crossed a line with my questions,” she adds.
I smile. “It’s okay. You didn’t. And I’m a lawyer. I know how to set boundaries. If I didn’t want to say anything, I would have said so.”
Quinn tips her head to one side. “That’s only because we’re still dancing around not really knowing each other, but sliding into becoming friends. Once we really get to know each other, I won’t allow you to have any secrets.”
I burst out laughing. “I’m not sure whether that sounds like a threat or the promise of a great friendship.”
“Smoke would likely argue it’s a bit of both. Would you like a coffee from downstairs, or are you good with the grounds?”
“I’m good with the ground coffee. And all this.” I gesture around the kitchen. “I was suffocating at home. This already feels so much better.”
Quinn glances around the kitchen and I get the sense she sees the room very differently to me. “Yeah, when you find the place you’re supposed to be, everything suddenly makes sense.”
“What’s this?” I ask, picking up a brightly covered book with a couple that almost reminds me of me and Grudge. It’s graphic, almost cartoon like, but she’s tiny and he’s tall, wearing a black T-shirt.
“It’s for you to read. I already read it. But our book club is next week, and that’s your invitation to join us.”
“I’ve been warned about your book club.”
Quinn laughs. “Greer.”
It’s a statement, not a question. “How did you know?”
Quinn heads to the door. “Lucky guess. I put some extra hangers in the wardrobe for you in the master bedroom. Holler if you need anything at all.”
And with that, I hear her footsteps jog down into the kitchen.
Now, I’m on my own. It’s been over two years since I lived by myself, and the silence is…perfect. I mean, there’s a little hustle and bustle at the shop downstairs, but nothing distracting.
I run my palms over the cool marble countertop and smile to myself, before I unravel my scarf and coat.
