Page 95 of Last Fall

23

Zoe

We Totally Crossed ThatBridge

The menfolk leftthe signing halfway through so they could get back to Tampa in time for the game. They wouldn’t be coming back since they had a one o’clock game on Sunday and then flights to catch for their week ontheroad.

I used the chaos of the event, the following dinner and evening of drinks, to stay distracted from the really uncomfortable black hole that seemed to have taken up residence behind my ribcage. I didn’t like this sensation at all. Not only was it unpleasant, but it reminded me a bit too much of the darkness that pulled me into the worst decision ofmylife.

I kept reminding myself that there wasnothingsimilar about Erik and Tony, nor the Zoe I was back then and who I wastoday.

But the darkness doesn’t appreciatelogic.

Oh no, the darkness feeds on the ability to distort logic. So it was much better to stay distracted than allow myself time to dance with thedevil.

But distractions only lastsolong.

“Text me the minute you land,” I said as I stood outside the security lines. In my frenzy to keep occupied as long as possible I parked and walked in with everyone. Plus I hated saying goodbye so delaying the inevitable until the last possible second was pretty much agiven.

“Fourty-eight days until we’re together again. Well, most of us,”Laurasaid.

We tackle-hugged Lindsay and Julia since we wouldn’t see them again until January. I was trying really hard to not cryaboutthat.

I hugged them each then sent them through security. I choked up a little as they all waved from theotherside.

Time togohome.

June met me at the rental car agency a few blocks from our house. “So how was the weekend?” We piled my bags into the trunk ofhercar.

“I had a great time. The house was amazing the beach was perfect and the signingwentwell.”

June rolled her eyes. “I love how you conveniently left out the most interesting part. Are you creating tension onpurpose?”

“I’m not being dramatic.” I slammed my door shut and buckled up. “I was just covering the basicsfirst.”

June backed out of the parking space and started back toward the island. “Well, now that you’ve cleared that up, howwasErik?”

“Good. Really good. He got along really well witheveryone.”

She glanced at me out of the corner of her eye. “That’s not exactly surprising. I was more interested in how you got along with everyone now that you have a love interest inthemix.”

“Love interest? Have you been listening in on my workcalls?”

She shrugged. “I have an interest in understanding your work, okay? So, how are youfeeling?”

“Good? It was very natural. I think it helped that I was in work mode. I wasn’t Zoe Burke, former nanny, baseball groupie, longtime friend. I was Zoe Hyde, badass writer of books who happens to have taken alover.”

June’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“Oh yeah, we totally crossed thatbridge.”

“And it was good?” her grin kept gettingbigger.

So of course I took my time answering her. “It was amazing,actually.”

“Yeah! I’m so happyforyou.”

We turned down our street and it was as if we passed through some sort of portal. The freedom I’d felt for the last few days disappeared. Cinderella was back from the ball. I wouldn’t be cleaning floors or anything, but I did feel strangely ordinaryagain.