Page 44 of Butter My Biscuit

“I’ve always wanted the best for you, Gracie, and I want you to be happy. I think you dodged a bullet with this one.”

“Increasing my body count is what I did.”

“You need someone who will give you thatmovie magicromance that you obsess about.”

I hear the towel drop and the rustling of material.

“But what if I’m searching for something that doesn’t really exist?”

“Do you believe that?”

She laughs. “Based on my past relationships, kinda. I dunno. Between the hangover and my intrusive thoughts, I’m just in a weird mood today. Ignore me.”

“I don’t expect you to break up with someone you talked to nearly every day for a year and be over it in a weekend. That’d make you a psycho.”

She chuckles. “Dressed.”

I turn back to her. “Finding theonesometimestakes time. I’ve heard that when you stop trying for love, that’s when you tend to find it. So, just go with the flow. I believe it’s the secret recipe for a happy life. Maybe try out your single era. Could be your best one yet.”

That earns me a popped brow.

“You’re so good at gassing me up.”

“It’s my hobby,” I say, looking under the bed to make sure nothing got pushed out of sight. I lost one of my favorite belts that way.

Grace runs her fingers through her wet hair and doesn’t take her eyes off me. “You know your sister keeps asking me what my word of the new year will be. I’ve been thinking aboutfearless. Maybe my single era will be incredible. Why check out when I haven’t shopped the whole store?”

“I like that. Fearless.” I finish packing and zip my bag. “Not to be a Debbie Downer, but the last time sheforcedme to choose a word of the year, something overly dramatic happened, so I don’t do that anymore.”

“Sounds superstitious to me.”

“Call it whatever you want. I learned my lesson, and now, I don’t fuck around with that. Too much bad juju. It’s like when you pray for patience, and you’re stuck in traffic for five hours. I’m good.”

“Well, I guess you still have three weeks to change your mind.”

“Oh, I won’t. Trust me on that.”

* * *

Thirteen hours later, we finally make it to Grace’s condo. My back hurts, and I’m exhausted from staying up all night, but I haven’t complained about it once. I chose it. And I can’t say I regret it either.

While we took turns driving, it rained half the time, so it made the trip almost miserable. Would’ve been if it wasn’t for the company.

We talked about everything, but Stephanie was never mentioned. I’m sure Grace knew I was with her though, especially when Stephanie tagged me on social media and most of our mutuals commented some words of encouragement. By the time I get back to Valentine, everyone will know me and my ex were together.

Distance doesn’t mean shit. News and gossip travel fast.

When I pull into her driveway, I kill the engine and turn off my lights. I grab her suitcase and then carry it to her door. When she walks inside her place, she gasps.

The place is nearlyempty. Like it’s obvious that something happened.

There’s a note taped to the front of the fridge. It looks like it was written in permanent marker. Grace peels it off, and her eyes scan over the pages so fast.

When she finishes, she crinkles it in her fist. “Just when I thought this month couldn’t getanybetter.”

“What’s it say?”

She hands it to me.

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