“I can’t go home to the townhouse with all his things and our things and every reminder of everything …” Pausing to take in a lungful of air, I try to steady myself then add, “Let alone go to sleep in the same bed we’ve had together for forever.”

I stare at the artwork centered over Julia’s fireplace as I talk.

The crinkling of the packaging paper is all the response I get from the other side of the expansive room. It’s so loud that I’m not sure anyone but Maddie even heard me. We’ve been working in relative silence save for the soft sound of music flowing from the kitchen behind us.

“We should go on a girls’ trip,” I offer up and look over my shoulder at Maddie. I shift in my seat and wait for her to meet my gaze.

“Hell yeah,” she answers without hesitation. “What does the newlywed think?” Maddie asks and instantly Jules brightens.

She shrugs as if the word newlywed didn’t make her day and puts the attention back on me as she says, “I’m happy to do whatever you want, Kat.” I hate that Jules is holding back. Every response from her tonight seems muted. She’s happy and she knows I’m not. She’s a newlywed and my marriage is falling apart.

I get it, but she should be happy. She doesn’t have to hold back her joy because I’m falling apart.

“You’re glowing,” I tell her and wait for a response to the compliment, feeling guilty that I haven’t said it sooner. My chest feels tight and I shift into a cross-legged position on the plush carpet as I grab a plastic bottle of water, drinking it down slowly even though it’s room temperature now. The sweeping room of this new build is ridiculous. The entire house still smells of fresh paint. I can imagine they spent several million on it and the movers did most of the work carrying in all the heavy furniture. Jules didn’t trust them with these boxes, though.

Maddie quirks an eyebrow. “You already make a baby?” she asks Jules, her tone devious. I can’t help that my brow raises comically.

“Oh my God, Jules, are you pregnant?” I pile on and Maddie snickers as Jules pulls her tawny hair back and rolls her eyes.

“Shut up,” Jules says playfully and then goes to the granite counter behind us and makes a show of drinking from her glass of wine. Her simple yet chic rose dress flutters as she waves her glass in the air. She’s the epitome of an upper-class socialite.

We exchange amused looks, waiting for her to reply with a straight yes or no.

“Not yet,” Jules finally answers.

“Yet!” Maddie practically shrieks. “First comes love, then comes marriage—”