Page 119 of Between Hello and Goodbye

I kissed her cheek and then hurried into the house, past Chloe Barnes and Captain Reyes and firefighters and friends and Paula; everyone waiting for the departure to the marina. I slipped by before anyone could stop me, grabbing my purse on the way out.

I had nothing with me when I arrived and now, I was leaving with nothing. Less than nothing, because now I didn’t have Asher.

At my condo, I opened the door and stepped into the wreckage of that terrible phone call. My living room was strewn with my work for the Red Bull ad. Asher’s suit jacket and tie were still in a crumpled heap on the floor. It was like walking into a crime scene.

I left it all and took a long, hot shower, then climbed into bed. I expected tears—for Asher and Morgan and Nalani. For sweet little Kaleo. For my own broken heart. But I fell immediately into sleep, diving into the merciful black.

The following morning, I made a pot of strong coffee and faced the messages on my phone. Missed calls from Silas and Terrance. One voice message from Cynthia wanting to know if I had the specs for Red Bull. But for a brief call with Terry in Hawaii to explain why I wasn’t there to pick up my Clio, I hadn’t checked in with work.

I texted him now.I’m back in Seattle.

How are you?he returned.

The simple question nearly undid me and there was no way to answer it.

I’m okay. Will be back in the office this afternoon.

Take your time. There’s no rush.

But there was. I couldn’t sit around in my condo by myself for much longer.

See you soon,I sent.

There was a pause and then,Only if you feel up to it. And give my sincere condolences to your boyfriend.

I closed my eyes and set the phone down. I gave myself a few more moments of quiet but it grew too loud, too fast. Tears were threatening and I couldn’t do that. If I started, I wasn’t sure when I’d stop, and I had to get to work

Because I was a responsible person now and that’s what responsible people did.