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The two of us went to the field, setting out the bases while Rhett got the rest of the gear. As the summer sun warmed my back and the soft breeze blew around us, I knew this was one of those moments I should cherish.

So I did.

I focused on practice, playing with the girls, making the most of the dwindling moments of our time together. And after practice, when Rhett asked if I wanted to go home with him, I shook my head.

“I need to talk with Cam tonight.”

53

MAGNOLIA

Taking deep breaths,I pulled out of the gravel lot, preparing myself for an honest conversation with Cam. Neither of us did great with conflict or confrontation, but I knew it needed to happen for the sake of our friendship, for my peace of mind moving forward.

But just a few minutes from my house, my phone started ringing, a call from our landlord. I swiped the phone, figuring he was changing the mowing schedule or something. “Hey, Peter, what’s up?” I asked. I could hear the TV going in the background before he replied.

“Hey, Mags, I heard the news about Camryn and Cooper’s baby on the way! Can you tell her congratulations for me?”

“Of course, but I can give you her number if you’d rather call her? I know she’d love to hear from you.” I pulled to a stop in the driveway, parking next to Cam’s car.

“I have her number. I actually wanted to call you because you’re the main leaseholder.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Oh?”

“My son is moving back to town, and with Camryn moving out, we figured you would need to find something smaller, and we want to give the house to our son and his wife to live in. Technically, in your lease, it says either one of us needs to give a month notice to terminate the agreement, so I suppose this is that month.”

Each word was like a punch to the gut. “Oh. Wow.”

“Things are changing all around,” he said. “We’ll sure miss renting to you two. You both made the place look so great from the outside, and you’re always paying rent on time. If you need a reference on another place, let me know, okay?”

“Sure thing,” I replied, barely keeping my voice from breaking. “I gotta get inside.”

“Of course, have a good night, Maggie,” he said, and the line went silent.

I slowly lowered the phone in a complete daze.

My best friend was moving out.

And a month from now, I wouldn’t have a place to live.

How would I have time to find a new place while working a job and getting ready for a wedding? How would I afford a deposit, first and last month’s rent, while waiting for the deposit to come back on this place and being the maid of honor Camryn deserved?

My face contorted with emotion. This fucking sucked.

Tears slid down my cheeks, and I wiped at them, but more just kept coming until my shoulders were shaking with the force of it. I was thirty-two years old, single, with nowhere to live, so far from being the independent woman I should be by now.

I watched the front door of the house open, and Cam come outside in her nightgown, looking at me through my windshield.

I hurriedly wiped my face, trying to hide just how devastated I was, but she came to the driver’s side of the car and opened the door. “Are you okay, hon?”

“I’m fine,” I said, but my voice cracked.

She looked down at me. “Let me get in. We’ll talk.” After closing my door, she walked around to the passenger side and got in. “What’s going on, Mags?”

I held up my phone. “Peter just called and said he’s terminating our lease a month from today.”

She seemed confused. “That’s a good thing, right? Then you can find a one bedroom instead of having to get another roommate.”

My chest ached even more, sadness fighting with frustration. “I didn’t realize I’d have to find another roommate quite so soon, or another place to live altogether.”