“Cass...where’s the coffee?” her mother asked, opening every cupboard.

“She doesn’t need coffee like the rest of us mere mortals,” Erika teased, picking up a sweater from the back of the couch and folding it. It was the one she’d worn on the heli-skiing date and she could still smell Reed’s cologne on it. She hoped the smell lasted—she’d need it once she was back in Anchorage. She was going to miss him so much.

“I’ll be back in a few minutes,” Arlene said, reaching for her coat.

“Where are you going?”

“To the grocery store to get coffee and other things I’m going to need to survive here.”

“In that case, you’ll also need to buy a coffee maker,” Cass said.

“Oh, Cassie, you’re not human,” her mother said, leaving the condo.

“Or you could go home to your own coffee maker,” her friend called after her as the door closed.

Erika laughed, zipping her suitcase.

“Remind me again how lucky I am,” Cassie said, stretching out her casted leg.

“Very. You have a wonderful family.” Her voice nearly broke and she ordered herself to pull it together. It was just Anchorage, not the moon. A short train ride away. She could visit anytime. They could visit her.

“Reed kinda grew on you, huh?”

“Not at all,” she said, sitting on the couch next to her.

“Try bullshitting someone else,” Cassie said, pointing to her wrist tattoo.

Erika fingered her own. From now on, she wouldn’t be covering it up. “Okay, maybe a little bit. You’re not upset that I spent the night with him, are you? It’s not totally weird for you, is it?”

“I didn’t get a chance to say it yesterday, but I’m thrilled for you both.”

“That’s such a relief to hear.”

“You two are actually perfect for one another. You’ll certainly keep my brother on his toes.” She studied her. “You are planning to keep this going, right?”

“We’re going to try.” She toyed with the hem of her sweater. “I’m not good at this, Cass. What if I mess it up?”

“Reed won’t let you. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. You may have changed here in Wild River, but you’ve changed him, too.”

Her pulse raced at what that meant. “So...what about you and Tank? Any progress there?” She needed to change the subject. Saying goodbye to her friend was tough and she knew saying goodbye to Reed in an hour would be nearly impossible. Keeping the conversation light was the only way to get through it. She was only returning to her life. Not dying.

So why did it feel like there was a hole forming inside of her?