ONE KICK FOR THE ROAD

Anna opened the door and Maya was already stepping forward, eyes glossy but voice steady.

“You didn’t call me,” Maya said, the words carrying the weight of a whole day spent worrying.

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“I had to hear it from Janet, of all people. Janet, Anna. She called me during lunch and I nearly dropped my phone. Did he at least fake an apology.”

Anna let out a short breath. “No, he's demanding I keep my Job instead. He tried to follow me into the lobby but I didn’t even slow down.”

Maya shut the door behind her and scanned the chaos of boxes. “ That Jerk. And Mia? What happened with her?”

“She got exactly what she wanted. Him. All of him. I hope it feels absolutely perfect for her every single morning when she wakes up next to him.”

Maya studied her face for a long second. “How are you?”

“I’m really not okay,” Anna answered genuinely , sinking back onto the floor. “I’ll fall apart later but right now I’m just doing the next thing in front of me, and then the next thing after that, and if I keep moving long enough I’ll be in London and someone else can deal with the mess.”

“That’s not how feelings work, Anna. You can’t schedule a breakdown like a meeting.”

“It’s working so far. Look around. Boxes are packed, my flight is booked, and I haven’t cried once today.”

Maya pulled her into a fierce hug without warning, arms tight around her shoulders. “I’m sorry I didn’t call,” Anna mumbled into the blazer. “Every single time I picked up my phone I thought, she’ll come straight over, and then I’ll have to actually say the words out loud and feel everything, and I just wasn’t ready. I’m still not ready. But I should have told you anyway. You deserved to hear it from me.”

Maya held on a moment longer before pulling back, her expression softening. “I need to tell you something, and you have to promise not to freak out.”

Anna’s stomach dropped. “What?”

“I went to see Jack before I came here. I found him in the car park after work. He was walking to his car alone, which was honestly perfect timing. I waited right by the driver’s side door so he would see me coming from far away. He stopped about ten feet back when he saw me but I didn’t give him the chance to open his mouth.”

Anna’s eyes widened. “Maya…”

“I swung my bag at him first. The big structured one, so it had real weight behind it. Then I kicked him hard, right in the stomach. He went down on one knee. I leaned down and told him, very calmly, that if he ever came near you again I would personally make sure every single dirty secret he’s ever hidden sees the light of day. I completely made that part up, obviously, but the way his face went white tells me there’s definitely something real there to be worried about.”

“He could actually press charges, Maya. You know that, right?”

“He could try.” Maya brushed imaginary dust from her blazer, completely unbothered. “But he won’t. He’s too much of a coward and his ego is way too big to let the world know a woman half his size put him on his knees in a parking lot. He’ll just lick his wounds and stay far away.”

Anna stared at her best friend still dressed in her office clothes, still perfectly calm after what she’d just described, and a warm rush of gratitude filled her chest. “Thank you.”

“I didn’t do it for thanks.”

“I know you didn’t. That’s exactly why I’m thanking you.” Anna reached out and squeezed her hand, smiling for the first time that evening. “Really.”

Maya stood up and clapped her hands once. “Right. Enough talking. Show me what still needs packing. I’m staying the night, no arguments.”

They dove into the work side by side.

“Leave the duvet,” Maya said firmly when Anna hesitated over it.

“But it’s a really good duvet.”

“It’s the duvet you shared with Jack for two years. Leave it. Buy a new one in London. Fresh start, remember?”

Anna held up the beach photo next. “What about this one? We looked so happy that day.”

Maya took it from her fingers, glanced at it for barely two seconds, and ripped it straight down the middle. “You don’t need physical proof of the good days with someone who turned out to be a completely different person. You’ll remember the happy parts anyway. The photos just make it harder to hold both truths in your head at the same time without tearing yourself apart.”

Anna looked at the two halves in Maya’s hands. “Fair enough. That actually makes a lot of sense.”

They kept packing until the last box was full and there was nothing left to fill. Then they collapsed onto the kitchen floor together. Anna brewed fresh tea, the familiar smell filling the half-empty space.

“Tell me about your London cousin,” Maya said, blowing on her mug.

“He offered me a job. I have the exact qualifications they need, he has the open division. It’s a solid business decision, plain and simple.”

“At three in the morning, Anna. People don’t draft employment letters at three a.m. for plain business decisions.”

“He’s an early riser. Works weird hours. That’s all.”

“Anna.”

“He’s just… efficient. Very capable at what he does. It’s impressive to watch, professionally speaking.”

Maya raised an eyebrow over the rim of her mug. “Don't forget to add, he’s beautiful.”

Anna laughed shyly. “Objectively beautiful, yes. A little harmless appreciation never hurt anyone.”

“Of course it didn’t.” Maya took a slow sip.

“He’s my cousin, though.” Anna's laugh tapered off.

“Distant cousin.”

“Still a cousin.”

“Mmm.” Maya set her mug down and looked straight at her. “Just let me be the first to know when you admit you like him, a Little too much.”

Anna’s mouth fell open, then snapped shut, cheeks warming. “I… that’s not…”

“I’m just sitting here drinking my tea,” Maya said with a tiny grin. “No pressure. Drink yours too.”

Anna laughed despite herself, refilling both mugs. Maya grabbed the spare blanket, flopped onto the couch, and announced, “This is my bed now until you leave. Deal with it.”

Anna lay in the dark later, a quiet smile curving her lips.

She had a job waiting. She had a flight booked. She had a best friend who had literally kicked her ex in the stomach for her.

None of it erased the hurt.

But every single piece of it made the hurt feel survivable.

She was going home.