chapter 43

Staying there was too hard, especially when I came out of the apartment every morning, half-hoping to see him and half-dreading it. As far as I was concerned, a little time and distance were exactly what we needed.

What I needed to be able to pick up the pieces of my life.

"You can always move back in with me," Taylor offered after a lengthy pause. "You know I would love to have you guys back."

"You finally got your life back, Tay. I'm not going to do that to you."

"Babe, it's what friends do," Taylor argued. "I don't want you to feel like you have nowhere to go."

"I have a whole week to figure things out." I pressed my face into the glass and peered at the world outside, bathed in purple and pink hues as the sun dipped below the horizon. "Being here is what I need right now."

"If you're sure..."

"What aren't you saying?"

"What happens when Bernard gets back?"

I stood up straighter and cleared my throat. "Has he called you?"

"No, but you know he will when he can't find you or Ron."

"H