Page 55 of Every Chance After

Mom:Men can’t be trusted. They never do what they say they’ll do.

Cora:You will feel this loss every day for the rest of your life.

I swallow hard, waiting.

“Ashe has had a change of heart.” Her face fixes on fake sympathy—a look I’ve seen a thousand times but never before directed at me. “He no longer wants to get married.”

It sounds so innocent and normal like one might change clothes or cars.

“Ashesaidthat?”

She leans forward. “I know that’s difficult to hear, but you must’ve felt it, too. It’d be such a sacrifice for him now.”

Marrying me would be a sacrifice.

“He was having second thoughts before the accident,” she tacks on as if that makes it better. “He loves his independence. He’s about to take on the new store. He loves youdespitethis, but you want different things now.”

“Wewantto be together,” I manage, nearly tripping over her use of the worddespite. “That shouldn’t have changed just because…onething did.”

She scoffs slightly. “That’s not how the world works, and you know it.”

Life isn’t fair, sweetie, and it ain’t changing the rules for you.I want Mom here, now, with Cora so I can demand them both to explain why life seems fair to everyone elsebutme.

“Why isn’t he here to do this himself?” I ask bluntly.

“Men are cowards, Marnie. He didn’t want to hurt you.”

But heishurting me. Suddenly desperate for the bathroom, I rise weakly from my chair. My no frowns, no fears, no tears policy slips as my eyes water and the horror of my situation compounds. I excuse myself and speed-hobble down the hall, not getting there fast enough.It takes as long as it takes.

Inside the bathroom, I turn on the cold water, splashing my face with it. Three days ago, Ashe texted all day with a series of can’t-waits.

Can’t wait to see you.

Hold you.

Kiss you.

Tell you about my trip.

Talk about a new wedding.

How could he change his mind so fast, like I’m a broken fever or a stomach virus that’s finally been purged? What happened to him loving meforeverand wanting mealways? This doesn’t sound like Ashe. In our early days, he fought for us with Cora. She thought he should focus on the store, not the staff. She had other ideas for him than someone like me.

Then, I wonder if thisisher, not him, and a tiny ray of hope emerges.

I slip my phone out of my pocket, staring at his last messages. I text him.

Cora’s here. She says you want to break up. Is this true?

The ellipsis appears. Disappears. And finally appears again.

Sorry.

Everything inside me crumbles and turns to dust. I’m no longer Marnie Strange. I’m her dried bones, withering and lifeless. He’s drained all the love and cheer right out of me. It’s a small mercy that he responded at all. At least, he didn’t leave me wondering by ghosting me altogether.

I return to Cora, head held high and eyes dry. They need me to be the usual Marnie—strong, steady, and forgiving. And though Grady’s probably right about my tendency to be too nice, it’s the only way I’ll get through this. I needthatMarnie, too.

“Are you alright?” she asks.

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