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She doubled over with laughter at her own terrible joke, and I pretended to hate it. Inside, though, I was simply a stew of giddiness. I’d never felt this sense of wondrous anticipation in my entire life.

January was a very quiet month in Falworth, so nobody at any of my jobs had even cared that I’d given less than two weeks’ notice. It turned out that Sean had a cameraman buddy who wanted to sublet my apartment, and I was happy to turn my lease over to him. Happy that Sean would have a friend next door. Kelly was a little startled by my abrupt decision to move, but she was coming down for a visit in two weeks.

Bella and I had spent the last five days coming to terms on the shop, as well as continuing our BFF catch-up. I’d spent multiple nights with her at Greta’s, and we’d talked until our throats were raspy and the sun was coming up. In fact, the only reason I hadn’t left at the crack of dawn this morning was because I’d wanted to say goodbye to her in person.

I let out a huffy sigh. “It figures. The only thing that’s making it hard for me to go is that I don’t want to leave you! As usual, you make everything so difficult.”

She rolled her eyes at my petulance—but then they filled with tears. “I want you to go, but I hate that you’re leaving.” She cleared cobwebs out of her voice. “As you well know, finding my way back into our friendship has been every bit as important to me as reconnecting with Michael. I love you, Jane.”

We gave each other a fierce hug, parting when Sean walked up with Bruce. I swiped at my wet face. “Love you too, Bells.”

Then I was in my truck, on County Road B, heading south. I blew Falworth a kiss in my rearview mirror.

The End