He squeezed my hand and excused himself to help Judy with cleaning up. We’d spend the rest of the night getting caught up before I left early in the morning. I wanted to drive home tonight, but I also knew it was important to spend time with them. They’d been together for six months and from the looks of it, bits and pieces of Judy were sprinkled in his house. The throw pillows were frilly and something my dad wouldn’t have picked out himself. The clock in the kitchen had apples instead of numbers and the knitted throw on the back of the couch looked like it was homemade and crafted with love.

After tossing and turning in the guest bed for an appropriate amount of time, I ate a quick breakfast, grabbed Crowbar, and rushed back to Bridgemont. I told my dad I needed to get back to wrap up some loose ends. When we pulled up in the driveway, my heart stopped before the car did. Parker was here. I looked at the time. It was ten thirty. I wasn’t expecting her until noon. I checked my reflection in the visor, let my hair down, and got out of the car. She wasn’t in her car and she wasn’t waiting at the front door.

I opened the door and found her waiting inside like she belonged there and it was just an ordinary day in my life. Only it wasn’t. Crowbar wagged his tail and headed straight for her. I needed to catch my breath first. I was weak-kneed again.

“Hi,” I said.

“I hope you don’t mind that I let myself in through the garage with the code.” She winced as if it was a bad decision when it was the best possible surprise.

“That’s totally fine. I’m glad you did.”

“I’m early, but I couldn’t wait.” She walked toward me, shyly, gracefully, completely vulnerable.

I hadn’t seen her look at me like that in fifteen years. The tears fell. I couldn’t stop them. The space between us, once full of history, bad decisions, and regrets, was clear. Nothing was stopping us. I pulled her in my arms and held her. She felt right.

“Let’s sit. We have a lot to talk about,” I said. We sat on the couch and I positioned myself so we were facing one another. “So, you’re single again.”