Page 20

Besides, I need to feel like I still have control over something even if it’s as simple as my wedding dress.
“Let’s go,” I say, excitement bubbling up inside me. “Before I change my mind.”
Lisa downs the last of her coffee, and we head out of the café with a new sense of purpose. Back to the boutique, back to my dress. No over-the-top suggestions. Just me, making a choice for myself.
Chapter 9: Emily
As I pull up to Andrew’s house, the gate opens automatically and I take a deep breath, the knot of nerves in my stomach tightening. This is it. Moving day.
The moving van follows closely behind me, its rumble barely noticeable over the pounding of my own heart.
Before I can even step out of the car, Bruno and Bear bound out, their tails wagging like crazy. I can’t believe I was frightened of them. They are huge but harmless and friendly. I laugh when they sniff and lick my hands as if I’m a long lost loved one.
Andrew steps forward, giving me a small smile. “Hey, you made it.” He’s dressed casually in jeans and a grey T-shirt, looking far more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him.
“Working from home?”
“I thought you might need some help settling in,” he says with a shrug as if it’s no big deal to be with her, rather than at work where I’m sure he’s needed.
“You didn’t have to,” I say. I can't imagine Daniel would have bothered to show up, let alone help. “But I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome,” Andrew says, brushing it away.
Warmth settles in my chest. It’s a new experience that I don’t know what to make of. This is so different from what I had with Daniel. Used to a lack of communication, it’s been refreshing to see Andrew’s daily texts – sometimes just checking in.
This last week had been a whirlwind of activities, figuring out what will go to storage and what I’ll bring with me. Then the usual daily disasters at the hotels.
Thank God Barbara was taking care of the wedding arrangements. I feel bad for leaving it all to her, but, then I remind myself that there wasn’t that much to do since plans had been put in place since the early days of planning her wedding to Daniel. The only thing that had been missing was the groom. I can’t wait for this wedding to be over.
“They missed you,” Andrew jokes, gesturing at the dogs, a perfect distraction to break me away from my reverie. A door shutting draws his attention to the moving van. “Let me show the movers where to put everything.”
He opens the front door wider and heads back inside, motioning for the movers to follow.It’s strange to think of this as home, even for a short while.
I follow him inside, and up the stairs, where he directs the movers to a room at the end of the wide hallway.
“Just let me know if there’s anything specific you don’t want in your room,” Andrew says over his shoulder.
“They all go in there,” I say, taking a deep breath and stepping into the space that’s about to become my temporary home.
He shows me to my suite, and I’m blown away. The room is gorgeous, with large windows that overlook the sprawling backyard, the trees swaying gently in the breeze. The bed looks so comfortable I almost want to collapse on it.
I run my hand along the window frame, taking in the view. “This is beautiful.”
“I’m glad you like it,” Andrew says, standing a few feet behind me. There’s a calmness about Andrew. He doesn’t act as if he’s in a rush to be somewhere else.
I turn to him, smiling. “Thank you. For everything. The movers, this room, all of it. I know it’s not easy for you either.” I’ve been so focused on the changes that I have to make, but, it can’t be easy to have to share your home with a relative stranger.
Andrew waves it off with a smile, “It’s no trouble.”
“I’m heading to my parents’ house after this,” I tell him. “I’ll stay there before the wedding.”
Andrew nods, understanding in his expression. “Makes sense.”
“Yeah.”
An uncomfortable silence fills the air before he, thankfully, breaks it. “So, what will you do with your apartment? Keep it or rent it out?”
“I’m going to renovate it and then sell it,” I reply. “I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time.”