Page 115 of All I Ever Wanted

“Stop, both of you.” Jumping down, I cover his phone with my hand, and I look back and forth between them. Claire wasn’t this bad when she had to leave Ben at daycare for the first time. “I don’t know why you are so reluctant to go, I’ll be fine.”

Nobody is saying it out loud, but I know they are worried Braden will show up. He’s not a problem per se, but almost a year later he still tries to reinsert himself into my life. Blocking him and changing my phone number hasn’t made much of a difference, he always finds a way to contact me. Thankfully he doesn’t randomly pop into the studio anymore. I’m sure Logan has something to do with that; he’s become a great friend over the past few months.

“I know.” She looks down to her socked feet before meeting my eyes again. “We just worry, you haven’t lived on your own before.”

“Good lord, I’m not a fragile flower. I can invite in a garden gnome if I get too lonely.” She’s not completely wrong, though. I went from my parents’ home in Maine to Aunt Maggie’s. Then Maggie’s house to Braden’s, and back to Maggie’s again – into my trailer. I had my own space, but she was always a stone’s throw away. But I can do this.

“Oooooh, that just reminded me.” Hannah scurries from the kitchen to the mudroom and back again with a gift bag. Her eyes light up as she hands it to me.

“You have done so much. You didn’t need to get me a gift as well.” I place it on the counter beside me and begin to remove the tissue.

“Of course I did, it’s tradition.” She is practically giddy, bouncing on her toes as she waits. “Hurry up and open it.”

“I’m doing it, girl.” I remove multiple sheets of red tissue paper and pull out a garden gnome. My eyes dampen as I take in the red hat that covers her eyes, long black braids, and a yellow dress. “She’s so sweet. Thank you.” What a ridiculously impractical and thoughtful gift. “I think I’ll name her Lucy.”

“That’s a great name and now you don’t have to invite any of them in because you’ll have Lucy to keep you company,” she beams.

“For the love of god, please do not invite any of them in. They have taken over the yard; they can’t infiltrate the house too.” Logan drops his shoulders and groans loudly.

I’m checking out my cool new little friend when I hear Hannah whisper, “You know you can come for a visit anytime, right?”

“That’s it. Get out,” I insist, pushing them towards the door before they invite me for a sleepover. “I love you both. I appreciate what you have done for me and your concern, but it’s time to go. I promise I will call if I need anything.” I cross my heart.

Slowly warm coats, boots, and toques are pulled on to fight the cold. This is possibly becoming the longest goodbye of my life. After hugs and more reassurance, they finally leave, taking their final box with them.

“Lock the door and turn on the alarm, okay?” Logan calls through the closed door.

“Yes, Dad.” Rolling my eyes, I twist the knob. They listen to the clunk of it engaging before I hear snow crunching on the stairs as they walk away.

I’m surprised they didn’t insist that Morgan spend the night with me.

Letting out a sigh, I turn on the security system Logan insisted we install. Then I head to the fridge and take out the bottle of wine Meg gave me when she dropped by earlier today. Almost everyone stopped in at some point. Riot dropped off cookies from Claire and Ben, and Carson promised me bread. All of them assure me they are just a phone call away if I need anything.

With dreams of slipping into a hot bubble bath, I just about make it out of the kitchen when there’s a knock on the back door. For fuck’s sake. Spinning around, I sit the wine beside Lucy on the counter and disengage the alarm.

Exasperated, I swing open the door. “Back so soon?” I ask.

My eyes widen in shock when I see my unexpected guest. “Ryan? What are you doing here?”

“Hi, Trouble.”