“That man never treated you right.” She sighed. “How is … Kyle?”
“Fine.” Truthfully, I had no clue. The relationship had deteriorated to the point where the only safe line of communication was through our lawyers, though I’d never share that tidbit with my meddling mother. “Let’s talk later. I have a meeting.”
“Promise? And send me some pictures of the wedding.”
“I will. Bye, Mama.”
The moment my phone was off, I stretched my arms above my head, taking long deep breaths before shaking it all out. With that over with, this precious sunny Saturday was all mine. I took another deep breath, sniffing the air and catching the aroma of lightly torched onion. Crap. I hurried back to the kitchen hoping to save the beginnings of my chili.
The late spring sunshine felt warm on my skin as I strode down the long hill toward Lonsdale Quay, sipping ice water and attempting to outrun both my unease and the clutter in my mind. My mom’s phone call had yanked unwelcome thoughts of the wedding disaster with Jake to the forefront, along with the reality that I now faced the true end of my marriage to Kyle. Calling it quits heralded yet another failure to add to the growing list.
At one of the shops inside, I ordered a chai latte and a blueberry muffin. I sat at a table overlooking the boat slips, picking at my muffin as the SeaBus chug across the harbour toward downtown Vancouver and seagulls hopping along the wharf in search of abandoned toddler snacks.
“Can I join you?”
“Luci. What are you doing here?”
“Thought I’d stop for a chai on my way to the Polygon Gallery and spotted you.” She waggled her white ceramic mug before plopping into the seat across from me. “We missed you after the wedding. The girls had a fabulous night out, minus the bride, of course. Dean and Dara left for Aruba after the gift opening on Sunday. Where’d you disappear to, anyway?” She fiddled with her spoon. “Jake went missing too.”
I set my lips in a flat line. “You found him, I hope.”
“Eventually.” Her bottom lip jutted out. “He flew home early because he was worried about Sarina. He missed her, or so he said.”
“Why would you doubt that?” After a sip of tea, I said, “He seems like a devoted daddy, and she’s a cutie.”
“It’s more than that. He seemed upset about something, and he’s been even pissier than usual. Something major happened, but he won’t tell me what. Funny. I swear I saw you both leave the reception around the same time.”
“Did it escape you that he was in a foul temper for the entire weekend? He barely tolerated me.”
“Really? You two looked darn cozy drinking at the bar. Everyone saw those moves on the dance floor, and then you both left within less than a minute of each.” She stared at me. “What happened? Did you fight?”
“Why do you think anything happened?”
“I know what I saw.”
“And what’s that?”
“The guilty look when I asked Jake if you might want to join us for breakfast. The avoidance in answering the simplest questions. The satin and lace lingerie, in your favourite colour, in his bag.”
Heat crept into my face, travelling upward, flaming my cheeks and burning my ears. “Does he know you snooped in his stuff?”
“It wasn’t snooping. It was sisterly concern.” She cradled her cup in her palms. “I say this because we were close, weren’t we?”
“We are still, aren’t we?” I squeezed her wrist. “I love you, Luci.”
“But not Jake? What did he do? I’d hoped that you two admitted—finally—that you’re meant to be.”
“Jake will always be here,” I said, pressing a hand to my chest, “but we can’t be together. Please understand, I’ll care about him forever, but it’s over.”
“Don’t you understand what he’s been through?” Her keen gaze dug into me.
“No, and I don’t pretend to, but I do know Jake. I lived with him for over three years.”
“Then give him a chance. Please, Amara. Come home. Jake needs you.”
“No. I’ve built a life here. I love my job, I bought my own place, and made friends. Should I drop everything and move to Halifax? For what? To barge, unasked, into Jake’s life?”
Luciana’s lip curled. “So, you sleep with him and dump him? Now, when he’s at his lowest point, you use him like that?”
“That’s what you think of me?” My head swam, and her words were an arrow to my heart, but mostly they fuelled my anger. “Grow up, Luciana. Your brother’s a big boy who can take care of himself. Damned if I owe you any explanations.”
Luci brushed her eyes with the back of her hand and bolted from her chair. “I hate you.” She stalked toward the coffee kiosk, her mug hitting the counter with a thud, then she disappeared into the bustling crowd.
Hearing those words coming from Luci, someone I adored, stole my breath away. I tossed my muffin into the wrapper and shoved it into my bag. Maybe later I’d have an appetite.
The next morning, the strident chime of my alarm woke me after another fitful sleep. The dim morning light barely seeped through the blinds. It was early, but I couldn’t delay.
I stretched and tiptoed across the cool hardwood floor, stopping to scan the horizon. The brightening eastern sky promised a sunny day, the sheen of golden light covered with wispy clouds. The news from my western window was equally good, bright blue sky lingering over the Lions Gate bridge, extending far into the distance over the Strait of Georgia.
Some of my sadness at the way things had ended with Luci faded, my heart lightening further as I perched on my patio and savoured the mellow tones of my morning cup of coffee. Despite the gulls’ continuous mournful cries, I sensed hope.
At quarter to seven, I added high-energy snacks and a water bottle to my day pack and
