“Yeah. I think so. I didn’t delve too deeply.”
“Maybe you should. Wouldn’t it be nice to have family in your life?” I say softly, thinking how unfair it is that Lainey’s mother was an only child on top of everything else.
“It’s crossed my mind. But it would just cause problems. I mean—there’s no way they’d be happy to hear from me.”
“Maybe not at first. But then they’d have you.”
She laughs. “The ultimate prize, right?”
“I think you are,” I say.
“Thanks, Han.”
She gives me a smile, but I can tell she’s sad now, too.
—
The following morning, I open my eyes and see Lainey’s long brown hair spilling over her pillow. For one second, I’m only happy to see her. Then it all comes rushing back to me—the reason she’s here—and the pain is even more acute than it was yesterday.
It was that way when Summer died, too. As horrific as that first day was, my heartbreak only grew as our new reality set in. Obviously, there’s no comparison between the two situations; they aren’t in the same universe. But losing Grady in this abrupt way really does feel like a death. He was there one second and gone the next.
My phone vibrates. It’s him. I freeze, panic, then make myself answer. Somewhere, deep in my soul, I hope that he’ll confess. It would be his only way to salvation.
“Hi,” I say, barely getting the word out.
“Morning, babe!” he says, his voice chipper and loud. “How’re you feeling?”
“Better,” I say as Lainey rolls over and looks at me.
I flash her my phone screen, showing her Grady’s name.
“Put it on speaker,” she whispers.
I do as I’m told, laying the phone on the bed between us.
“So what are you up to today?” he asks.
“Lainey’s here,” I say.
“Oh, cool. I didn’t know she was coming. Is she filming something?”
“No. She just flew down to see me.”
Lainey points down at her left ring finger, reminding me of her plan.
“She wants to take us to dinner,” I say. “To celebrate our engagement.”
Lainey gives me an encouraging smile and a thumbs-up.
“That’s so nice of her! I’m in! Do you have a rez?”
“Not yet.”
“Should I make one?”
“Sure,” I say.
“Okay. I’ll try Le Bilboquet. It’s short notice, but I’ll text the manager. I bet they can slide us in.”
“Sounds good,” I say, biting my lip so hard that it hurts, thinking that he’s certainly mastered the art of sliding in.
—
The hours tick by. It feels like I’m treading water and on the brink of drowning. Lainey forces me to eat, but I can only manage a few bites of buttered toast. At some point, I notice that Lainey has taken down all the framed photos of Grady. It’s a relief not to see his face, but I hope she hasn’t gotten rid of them. I’m not ready to throw pictures away. I don’t know that I ever will be.
Around three o’clock, Delta finally delivers Lainey’s bag, and she goes to take a shower. As I curl up on my sofa, I hear a knock at my door. My heart starts to race, as I wonder if it could be Grady. Or my mother, whom I’ve been avoiding like the plague.
I nervously walk to the door and stare out the peephole. I can see a man’s chest and shoulders but can tell it’s not Grady.
“Who is it?” I ask, always a little paranoid.
“It’s me,” I hear a familiar voice say.
I quickly open the door and throw my arms around Tyson.
“Oh my God. You came!” I say, my eyes welling up. I’ve never been so grateful to see him.
He hugs me back and says, “Yep. Of course I did.”
I finally let go of him, wiping away tears and telling him to come in.
He smiles, then walks into my foyer. “How are you holding up?” His voice is calm and soothing.
“Better now that you’re here,” I say.
“Good.” He nods, putting his leather duffel bag on the floor.
“Did Lainey know you were coming?” I ask.
“No,” he says, glancing around. “Where is your girl, anyway?”
“She’s in the shower,” I say. “And let me just warn you, she’s in rare form.”
“I figured. Why I came. I knew you’d need a little adult supervision.”
“Wait till you hear her ‘revenge plan.’ ”
“Oh, Lord. Do I even want to know?”
