Page 56 of Unpredictable
Harper had always had a spare key to my house. But after the tsunami, I’d given Alexis and Lauren ones as well. I was used to the three of them letting themselves in, though they usually only did so when invited.
Alexis appeared in the doorway to the closet but frowned when she saw the mess that I’d made.Or maybe the mess that I was,I thought as I caught sight of myself in the mirror. My hair was knotted on top of my head, a scarf holding it back. I was wearing workout gear, and I hadn’t showered or done my makeup. Still, I knew Alexis would never judge me.
“Thanks for coming over.” I dusted off my hands. “Let’s—” I lunged to step over one of the piles of clothing and nearly tripped. “Get out of here.”
She held out her hand, and I accepted it, practically leaping toward freedom.
“So, what’s up?” she asked when we made it to the kitchen. “I know you’re a fanatic about spring cleaning, but this seems extreme even for you.”
I grabbed some supplies for mojitos and started mixing them as I tried to gather the courage to speak. “I want to sell the house.” Even though sweat beaded along my forehead and my heart was racing, I knew it was the right decision.
Her brows inched toward her forehead. She blinked a few times, then asked, “You’re sure?”
“I need… a change.”
She nodded. “Do you know where you want to move?”
I honestly hadn’t gotten that far. And now that she’d asked, I felt a bit foolish.
“I was hoping you could help me with that, but it’s not a priority. Harper has an extended trip coming up, and she offered to let me stay at her place for as long as I need.”
She sipped her mojito, expression unreadable, and I wondered what she was thinking. Alexis was honest but tactful, diplomatic. It was part of what made her such a good mom and real estate agent.
“Okay, but are you sure you’re ready to list?” She brushed her hair away from her face. “You’ve always been adamant about staying here.”
I understood her concern, and it touched me that she cared. For two years, I’d stood firm on my decision to stay here. But over the past few months, I’d realized I was holding on to a dream that didn’t exist, a life that didn’t exist. Spending time with Harrison had only cemented what I already knew—it was time to move on.
“I know.” I swallowed. “But I’ve had a change of heart. And Lindsay helped me realize that was okay.”
Alexis took my hands in hers. “I’m so glad she’s been able to help you.”
I’d continued my sessions with Lindsay. She was helping me process my grief over losing Ryan, as well as any guilt I had about my feelings for Harrison. I wished I’d started seeing her years ago.
I nodded. “Living here—” I glanced around the house where I’d spent the past five years, three of them with Ryan “—was wonderful. But…” I blew out a harsh breath. “Honestly?” She nodded. “It’s become suffocating, being surrounded by so many memories of Ryan and the life we had.”
She squeezed my hands before releasing them. Just because I was ready to move forward didn’t mean it was easy. “Do you want to consider a redesign instead?”
I shook my head, struggling to imagine the place any other way. It would always be Ryan’s and my home. “No. I need a fresh start.”
“What are you going to do with his things?”
“His parents don’t have the space for much, so most either has to go in storage or be donated.”
“Are you okay with that?”
I lifted a shoulder, the bands around my chest tightening at the idea of saying goodbye to my few remaining links to him. I knew it was just “stuff,” but it had been his stuff. “I’m trying to be.”
She leaned forward, resting her arms on the counter. “I’m here to help, so put me to work!”
I laughed. “I invited you over because I miss you. But I’d also hoped you’d be willing to list it for me.”
“Of course. So…let’s do a walk-through, discuss what needs to be edited. And then we can get to work on some of Ryan’s stuff.”
“Alexis…I…” I didn’t know what to say, so I settled for, “Thank you.”
“Let me just text Preston, and then we can get to work.” She smiled.
“You sure he won’t mind?”
