buried him in a lone plot, not a family plot. He had died before he was even born. She didn’t talk about it, she didn’t tell Hadley, who she assumed couldn’t care less anyway, and she didn’t get any kind of help for her grief. Her parents, not in the best shape anyway, seemed relieved that she didn’t want to talk about it.
“This counselor I’ve been talking to, she wonders if maybe I need a little closure on that. On a lot of things.”
“Hmm,” he answered. “What do you think?”
“I don’t know. My whole life has started to change, and I almost feel like a normal person. For the first time in years.”
“Addie, I don’t know all that much about counseling and stuff, but here’s what I think. I think you do whatever makes you feel like you’re growing into your best self. You seem happier these days because you’re active and you’re with people, and correct me if I’m wrong, but I think you’re needed at that new job.”
“I am feeling that way, slowly but surely. You’ve been just about my only friend the past few years.”
“Nah. Everyone in town knows you, Addie. Everyone waves, honks, yells hello. You know a lot of people. You just haven’t been too social.”
“Yeah, but I’m talking friend, Jake. I want you to know that I’m really grateful.”
Chapter Nine
“Is it too late?” Justine whispered into the phone.
“No,” Logan said. “I’m watching a movie. I’ll pause it. Everything okay?”
“Yes, better than okay, and I just wanted to tell you. I had a beautiful day with my girls and my sister, a day like I haven’t had in a million years. We went shopping with Addie. She’s lost a lot of weight and needed new clothes...”
“But you said you and your girls go shopping all the time,” he said. She could hear him sitting up in bed, getting a little less comfortable.
“Not like this,” she said. “We always need something, so we have to hurry, can’t waste any time, rush, rush, rush. Today we were all about getting good deals and nice clothes and laughed a lot. Then we went to Addie’s house, the house I grew up in, and I made dinner. We kicked back, took our time, laughed our heads off, and didn’t worry about when we got home. I’m at home tonight. Tomorrow night I’ll be in Jean’s guest room. But Monday I’m back on the prowl, checking out law practices. After spending the evening in Half Moon Bay, I remember why I liked it so much. I like the speed.”
He chuckled. “Maybe I should give it a look.”
“Well, it’s out of the question for me,” she said. “The other woman lives there. And I assume Scott will be spending a lot of time there. I’d be happier if he’d move to Florida.”
“Scott and the other woman could just as easily be in San Jose, so just get over it.”
“What are you saying?” she demanded. “I don’t want to see them. Especially together!”
“I understand, but if you let that be your criteria, you might miss out on the best experience for yourself. You could reject a job or location because you’re avoiding them and settle somewhere you like far less. Then what if they do up and move to Florida? Justine, you are now free to serve your own needs first.”
“Huh,” she said.
He laughed. “This is all still so new, isn’t it? The idea that it’s just you.”
“Well, me and my girls. But what if I run into them and I throat punch her?”
“First offense,” he said. “You won’t have to serve too much time.”
She laughed at him. “There is a law practice in my old town, a one-man firm. He’s been there forever and I found, during my search, he’s been looking for an associate. He might be thinking of retiring, but he’s been looking for a long time. I had pretty much written it off. Not only is it in the town where Scott had his affair, my girls go to school in San Jose. There’s a potential opportunity I’m