Page 17

“Oh hush.” She waved her hand at me, wearing a satisfied smile that deepened her wrinkles. “Have a good weekend, Dell.”
“I will,” I said, mentally adding, I hope.
There would be four extra women at my house soon who all needed answers. And since I didn’t have much at my house, I stopped at the store to grab a meat and cheese tray and some wine. Multiple bottles of wine. Plus some of that sparkling water Liv liked to drink while pregnant.
When I got to my place a few blocks away, I uncorked a bottle first, pouring myself a glass and taking a long sip of the liquid courage.
Gah, maybe this was why I was single. I could handle conflict with people like Hayes all day every day. But my friends, my family? I ran from hard conversations like they were zombies and I was barefoot in a nightgown trying not to die.
But this conversation couldn’t be avoided. Not now that I could see headlights shining through my front window, cars parking in my driveway and along the street.
My friends were here, and I had some explaining to do.
Liv walked inside first, carrying a giant notepad and a tripod. I didn’t have a chance to ask her what that was about before Henrietta, Larkin, and Maggie followed her inside.
“Anyone care for wine?” I asked. “I have some charcuterie on the table too.”
I helped pour drinks, watching while Liv set up the tripod with the notepad. She clicked the lid of a big black marker in her fingers, waiting for us all to be ready. She meant business.
“Enough with the snacks,” Liv said, tightening the ponytail at the back of her head. “Everyone sit down. We have a problem to solve.”
“What do you mean?” Larkin asked, her gaze tracking between Liv and me.
Liv gave me a pointed look. “Tell them.”
Everyone went to sit down in my living room while I stood awkwardly in the dining area. All eyes were on me, and despite hating all the attention, I raised my chin up high. “I got a new job in Dallas at Griffen Industries. I’m moving in two and a half months.”
There was a mix of gasps, worried smiles, and frowns. Henrietta said, “That’s not so bad. Dallas is just two hours away.”
“Thank you,” I mouthed to her. She’d moved to Texas from California, so at least she had a different perspective. Not like Liv and I, who had spent most of our lives in Cottonwood Falls.
“Not so bad?” Liv countered. “It’s terrible!”
Henrietta said, “It’s a good job, right?”
I nodded, thankful for her prompting. Wringing my hands around the stem of my wine glass, I said, “It’s a significant bump in pay. I’ll even be leading a team for the first time.”
Liv frowned. “That’s all fine and good, but...” She uncapped the marker and wrote a headline on the paper. REASONS DELLA SHOULD STAY
Maggie held a cube of cheese in her hand and said, “No more random drop-ins if she leaves.”
I gave her a betrayed look, and she gave me an embarrassed smile.
“Sorry, I’ll miss you!” Maggie said.
Larkin nodded. “It’s been fun having a girlfriend in town to talk to.”
Liv said, “All your nieces and nephews love you.”
My heart ached as Liv wrote each reason on the board, and finally, I’d had enough of the ambush. I went and stood by Liv, taking the marker. “Look, it’s not like I want to leave!”
Now everyone looked confused, but Liv voiced it. “You don’t?”
I shook my head and started pacing anxiously. “Of course not! I love it here. I have you all. My parents. My job is great. And my house.” I gestured around me. I had decorated it exactly how I liked, using peel-and-stick floral wallpaper and window clings that caught the light and cast little rainbows on the floor. Even my hanging plants had character, with pots that looked like disco balls. It was a bona fide Della Dreamhouse. Finding its match in the city would be nearly impossible, even with my new and improved salary.
Liv’s hands extended out at her sides. “Then why the hell are you moving?”
“Because I’m lonely!” I nearly shouted, embarrassed but hoping they would understand. “All of you have found your person. And each day I’m reminded that I don’t have one.” Humiliated tears pricked at my eyes, and I quickly pressed at the corners to keep them at bay.