Lisa walked up and put her arms around Lila. “Don’t make old mistakes. Let it out. Let me be here for you. Don’t hold this in and pretend like it’s okay. Let me call Laurel and put her on video chat, and let us take care of you for once. You loved him. It’s not wrong to admit it. Please don’t hold this in. If you honestly are this calm, that’s fine. It’s good. But if you need to cry, don’t hide it. No one is going to come and take us away. Do you think I don’t know how hard it was for you and Will? I know. Let me be strong for you for once. Please let me pay this back. And yes, I’m making this all about me because I am afraid you won’t ever let anything just be about you.”

Her sister’s kindness worked where Armie’s coldness hadn’t. It was true. She held things in, a remnant of childhood, but one she didn’t need anymore. She was never going to be the woman who cried at everything, but some things were worth tears.

Her love was worth a few.

“I loved him. I never . . .” The words wouldn’t come.

Lisa held her tight. “You never met anyone like him. I know. It’s okay.”

Lila let go, let her sister comfort her. The tears she’d held in all day finally flowed.

He was gone and so was a large piece of her heart.

•   •   •

Armie felt like he was a zombie. He was moving, saying all the things he should say, but he couldn’t quite feel anything. He’d gotten Noelle in the car, driven home, stayed calm, but he felt like he was still stuck in that moment when he’d realized he was going to have to leave Lila.

He already missed her.

He had to focus on his daughter. She was the one who needed him.

“Do you want something to eat? I can call in pizza.” He knew he should make something healthy, but if he opened the refrigerator, he would see what Lila had planned to cook for them. It would be sitting there, prepped and ready to go because his girlfriend was incredibly organized.

Not his girlfriend, and that was the stupidest word. She wasn’t a girl, and she was so much more than a friend. His lover. His companion. His every waking thought and comfort.

How had it gone so fucking wrong? He’d thought Noelle was safe with Lila. It had been the biggest relief that someone had been there to support him, to partner with him. He could work the night shift without worrying every second. He could trust her when Noelle needed a ride somewhere.

Do you want the rest of the world to wait on you hand and foot? That sounds awfully easy.