Chapter 23
CHAPTER 23
NICOLE
Departure day had come before I was ready.
I was picking up the living room before Atticus and I were set to leave when I overheard him having a conversation with my grandmother.
I stood behind the door, listening.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” he asked. “You look down. Is it because we’re leaving?”
“It’s hard sometimes,” Mimi said.
“What’s hard?”
“Feeling like you serve no purpose anymore. Like you can’t help anyone. My life has gone from participant to observer. There’s so much I want to do but can’t.”
“You do serve a purpose, Mimi,” Atticus assured her after a moment. “Before I came here, I felt very lost in my life. I was consumed by my career when that shouldn’t be my priority. Being in your presence has reminded me how important it is to be a good example and to put family first always—like you’ve done. You are my biggest inspiration. And Nicole and I wouldn’t be who we are without you. You’re serving your purpose every day just by being here.”
“Well, that’s very sweet, Atticus.”
“Will you promise me something?”
“What?”
“I programmed my phone number into your cordless phone here. I know you have other numbers on speed dial, but now I’m number seven. Will you promise to call me whenever you’re having moments like this one, when you’re feeling sad? I’d love to be able to talk to you and remind you how amazing you are.”
“What if you’re performing?”
“If I see your call, and I can get away, I’ll drop everything. And if I miss it, I’ll call you right back.”
“What did I ever do to deserve such a kind grandson-in-law?”
“You gave me Nicole. She’s the kind, wonderful person she is because of the example you set and the love you always showed her.”
My heart melted. How could he possibly still feel that after the way I’d treated him? Then again, this was all a show for my grandmother. Did he truly feel that way?
“I’m sad that I won’t be around to see your beautiful children,” Mimi cried.
I shut my eyes. That hurt my heart and soul. Atticus remained silent.
“I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me these past two weeks,” my grandmother added.
My heart couldn’t take any more of this, so I stepped into the room.
“Oh.” Atticus turned toward me. “Hey.”
“Hi.” I offered a weak smile.
“Hi, dear.” My grandmother held out a shaky hand.
I took it.
Atticus’s eyes met mine. “Is it time to say goodbye?”
I nodded. “Yeah, I think so. I should probably try to beat rush-hour traffic.”
His mouth curved into a frown.
Wrapping my arms around my grandmother, I whispered in her ear, “I love you, Mimi. I’ll come visit you soon. I promise.”
“I’ll be counting the days, my sweet granddaughter. Please take care of yourself and be careful driving.”
The plan was for Atticus to stay with her until Fiona arrived in about an hour.
He walked me to my car in the driveway. “So this is really it, huh?”
I wrapped my arms around myself. “Thank you again. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
“Yes, you could’ve. You’re stronger than you realize. But I’m damn glad you didn’t have to do it alone.”
“Are you going to Tina’s after Fiona gets here?”
“Yeah. I’m gonna hang out with her and the kids—I mean, the adults—and spend the night.”
I smiled. “Then you head back to L.A.?”
He nodded. “Tomorrow night. The guys are waiting on me to get started in the studio.” He looked down for a moment then back up at me. “When will I see you again?”
I took a deep breath. “Actually… I’ve been in touch with Emily a few times since that night we all hung out. We were talking about hairstyle ideas for her wedding, and she asked if I’d be willing to fly out and do her hair. And then stay for the ceremony.”
“Really?” His eyes widened. “That’s a couple months from now, right? What did you tell her?”
“Yeah, it’s in two months, and I told her I’d think about it. But I need to let her know by the end of the week so she can book someone else, if needed.”
“I really hope you do it.”
“Noted,” I said, still not a hundred-percent sure I was on board. I hated weddings. They reminded me of a lot of things I didn’t want to remember. “If I don’t end up going, maybe we could grab coffee the next time you’re in New York.”
“I would love that.” He smiled. “That’d be the best coffee ever.”
“Okay.” I grinned. “Well, have a safe trip back.”
“Careful driving, Nicole.”
As we hugged goodbye, I could feel his heart thundering against mine.
“I don’t want to let you go,” he whispered.
I closed my eyes for a moment, relishing the feel of being in his arms. Forcing myself away, I rubbed my hands together, trying to distract myself from the fact that I already missed being held by him.
Atticus reached into his pocket. “Hey, I want to give you something before you go.” He handed me a small box.
“What’s this?”
“Open it.”
I opened the box to find a white gold charm attached to a thin rope necklace. It was a figure-eight infinity symbol.
I rubbed my thumb over the metal. “It’s beautiful.”
“You refused to take anything from me when we split, but I’m hoping you won’t refuse this.”
“When did you have the time to get this?”
“I had Clemson’s make it for me.”
Clemson’s was a local jewelry store.
“It represents who you are to me,” he explained. “And maybe the new normal of our relationship. Even if we’re not married or together, you’re a part of me forever. And I’ll always be here for you.”
Feeling my eyes water, I nodded. “I’m proud of us.” I stared down at the necklace. “Of how we came together these past couple weeks.”
“Me, too, baby.”
I looked up at him. “Will you put it on me?”
“Of course.”
The feel of his hands at the back of my neck sent shivers down my spine. I cherished every second. Turning around, I hadn’t accounted for how close he’d be. His gorgeous lips were right there.
“I hate this,” he said. “I don’t want to leave you.”
As his eyes flickered between my eyes and lips, I gripped his shirt as if to say I don’t want to leave you, either. He leaned in and touched my lips with his. As my heart nearly leaped through my chest, I opened my mouth slightly, expecting his tongue, but his kiss simply grew firmer—intense yet controlled. Closed. Then he pulled back.
He placed his fingers over his lips. “Be careful driving.”
I fondled the charm. “Thank you again.”
“Of course.” He smiled sadly.
I wasn’t sure how to interpret that kiss, but without saying anything further, I forced myself to walk away. As I started my car, Atticus stayed put. I looked over at him one more time before backing out. He waved and blew me a kiss.
I pulled out, and he walked to the end of the driveway, watching me drive down the road until he disappeared in my rearview mirror.
On the way out of town, I drove by the house we’d passed on our walk, the one I’d always envisioned as my future forever home here in Monksville. It was white with window boxes filled with purple flowers. I slowed down to get a better look at it, trying to ignore the pangs of sadness in my chest as I clutched the infinity charm around my neck.