Page 122 of The One

The pain felt oddly comforting. It gave me something to focus on.

Instead of … her.

When the hug ended, I said, “I’ll call.” Did I even have my phone? I felt my pocket, and it was in there, taking up the whole space. “Will my phone work there?”

“I almost forgot.” Dad rushed back to the car and returned to us. “I got you a new one.” He handed me a phone. “Why don’t you give me your old one?”

I reached into my pocket and switched devices with him.

“Our house line and both of our cell phones are saved in there,” he said, nodding toward the one now in my hand.

“What about all the other numbers?” I asked. “I don’t know them by heart. And the texts that are all there …”

From her.

From … him.

“Do you need their numbers?” Dad asked. “You’re leaving, Lainey. You’re starting fresh. That life … it’s behind you.”

I nodded. “I suppose you’re right.”

“We’ll be coming to visit soon, baby.” Mom hadn’t stopped touching my hair. “A couple of weeks, tops.”

“I have a colleague who lives not far from where you’ll be,” Dad said. “She’s worked for my company for as long as I have. I trust her. I put her number in there, and she’s going to be in touch when you land. If you need anything, ask her. Don’t be afraid.”

I nodded again.

Because it felt like I was supposed to.

“We love you,” Mom said.

I could barely hear her over all the noise outside the terminal.

“We’re only a phone call away.” Dad’s eyes were filling with tears. “We love you very much.”

I didn’t know if I had any tears left. I’d shed so many that I felt dry.

I was holding each of their hands. Both felt different. Like the grief had even changed their skin.

I gave them a squeeze. “See you soon.”

I walked into the airport, moving in a daze, so disassociated that by the time I came to, I was in the window seat, looking out onto the wing of the plane.

We were already in the air.

And in my hand was a photograph. I didn’t remember putting it in my bag and taking it out. But there was a picture of Rhett and me. We were on the beach. His arm was around me in a way where his tattoo was showing, and theRnecklace dangled from my throat. I was looking at the camera, but he wasn’t. He was gazing at me.

The smile on his face … for me.

Warmth.

When all I felt now was coldness.

“Can I get you anything?” someone said.

I looked across the two seats beside me, not realizing they were empty, and at the flight attendant standing in the aisle.

“You were sleeping when I came by during the drink service,” she said. “You slept right through dinner too. I’m happy to get you something now that you’re awake.”