“They’re gone,” he said.

“Who could have…?” Shelly trailed off. It was better unfinished.

“Pack quickly,” Colin said.

I went cautiously back downstairs, as if I were going to survey the aftermath of a hurricane. But there was no disaster, not outwardly. Nothing had been taken—not that I had anything valuable—and nothing had been destroyed. Just the lock on the door, broken by some faceless person.

A violation. I should be used to them by now.

It was probably just a prank. Or a robbery that ended in disappointment when all they found were dolls and toys.

This place was crappy, but it had been home—mine. It shouldn’t matter because we were going to a place that was so much better—Colin’s. I tried to focus my thoughts on the practical, like throwing clothes into trash bags.

Colin loaded the crib and high chair and other furniture into his truck. That meant leaving behind my bed, my dishes, my dinette. Colin said he would come back later and take whatever was left to Goodwill. We filled up his truck and my car trunk, and I realized just how few material possessions I had.

Shelly brought Bailey down when we were finished.

She paused for another hug as she handed Bailey over. I glanced at Colin. He was strapping down the stuff in his truck.

“The lock—” I started.

“Don’t think about it,” she said.

She was right of course, but… “Am I making a mistake?”

“Of course not.” Her face was perfectly smooth, gaze clear, completely giving herself away, the faker.

“You’re a horrible liar.”

She raised two perfectly groomed eyebrows. “I have a buttload of clients who say otherwise.”

“Yeah, well, I know you too well.” I lowered my voice. “I’m scared.”

“What’s the worst that could happen?” she said.

We both laughed. She always knew how to cheer me up.

Because, well, the worst was pretty bad, but then we’d both been through bad. What Shelly meant was that bad things happen, but we couldn’t let them rule us. Living was a choice.

Colin slammed the tailgate shut and turned to me.

He raised his eyebrow. You still in?

Yes, I answered silently.

*     *     *

Bailey dug through my box of clothes while I hung them up in the closet. The room had two closets, so this one had been empty when we got here. Still, it was already stocked with hangers, and that had to count for something.

Colin stepped in. “I’ve got the last of it downstairs.”

“Thanks.” I wiped my palms on my jeans.

Christ, how awkward. Why had no one ever given me lessons on how to handle moving in with a guy I barely knew? Suddenly that seemed like a vital life skill.

“So.” I took one of my high heels out of Bailey’s hands and replaced it with an innocuous sweater. “It’s official.”