I set free a sigh. “I have to go and get my issues from Deacon’s place.”

Lucas reaches out and offers my shoulder a squeeze. “Are you certain you don’t need firm?”

Shaking my head, I exploit my different hand to pat his. “No, I’d choose to do that alone.”

“Pippa—”

“He broke my coronary heart, Lucas, however I nonetheless love him. That is my final probability to say goodbye.” I pressure a smile. “Textual content Mallory. If I can’t get my love story, then I’ll stay vicariously by way of you two.”

He chuckles. “You’re nonetheless a hopeless romantic.”

“All the time. Go do it. Why are you hanging out together with your child sister and never the recent girl who’s positively focused on you?” This time, I don’t need to pressure myself to smile. The concept of my brother at the least getting his happy-ever-after fills my coronary heart with pleasure.

His time with Elise messed him up. He additionally struggled with belief—similar to Deacon. However Mallory’s a great individual, and I do know she’d be good to him.

I’m not anticipating him to skip off into the sundown together with her however going out together with her for drinks can’t harm. Apart from, I do have to kind out Deacon’s house on my own.

I don’t need an viewers for this.

* * *

After Lucas leaves in his Uber, I get within the automobile and make the drive to Deacon’s place.

That is powerful. Part of me desires to say to hell with my issues and simply go away them there as a reminder, however I’m unsure he’ll care.

Once I get there, I seize the shifting containers from the boot and carry them to the door. For the final time, I slide my key into the lock and take a deep breath earlier than pushing the door open.

Deacon’s house feels the identical because it at all times did. It’s heat and welcoming when its proprietor is chilly and heartless.

This was extra like my house than my very own house.

I slide the keys off my keyring and drop them gently on the kitchen island. They make a clink as they land, and even that straightforward act leaves me feeling misplaced. After a second’s hesitation, I observe with my engagement ring. My finger feels naked the second it’s off, however there’s no level in leaving it on.

Working my fingers throughout the again of the sofa, I absorb each little factor I can. This place has so many reminiscences—all of them good.

Why, Deacon?

Perhaps coming right here alone was a mistake. However I can’t name Lucas now—he’s at drinks with Mallory, and he deserves one thing good to occur to him.

I’ve solely made it so far as the lounge.

There isn’t an enormous quantity of stuff for me to take. I’ve some issues within the lavatory and the bed room, and I introduced a few containers simply in case I wanted them.

However the considered going into the bed room makes my abdomen twist.

I pressure myself towards the door.

The bed room’s quiet, the mattress made and the room spick and span because it was the best way we left it. Deacon teased me about making the mattress with clear sheets earlier than we left, however I instructed him that we’d be grateful once we received again.

Returning to the entrance door, I retrieve one of many containers and return to the bed room. One after the other, I open drawers, pulling out the clothes I’ve left right here over the previous few months. I’m so glad I hadn’t made the ultimate transfer in earlier than the marriage. That is the final place I’d wish to be spending hours packing up.

I press on, emptying out the bedside cupboard, pausing solely to have a look at the photograph on Deacon’s facet. It’s one other of the photographs from the evening of the product launch. Deacon’s arms are round me, and I’m smiling so extensive it makes my face ache even now.

He can preserve it. He can come house and see my face beside his mattress, and I hope it hurts.

Once I’m accomplished packing within the bed room, I head into the lavatory. It doesn’t take lengthy to retrieve my issues, after which I’m touring the remainder of the house looking for the rest.

It’s not honest. I cherished this house a lot. Certain, it’s not my wedding-cake home with the white picket fence, but it surely’s the place we fell in love.

Supply: www.seynovel.com