Chapter 2

Emma had a few glasses of fruit wine with dinner. By the time we left, she was a little unsteady on her feet.

Blake caught her arm. Eli took her bag, and Zane hurried off to bring the car around.

I followed them outside. As we reached the curb, Blake glanced back at me.

“Just get yourself a cab, okay? Text me when you're home.”

“Okay.”

The three of them left with Emma. I stood in the cold for another fifteen minutes before I managed to get a ride.

By the time I got home, Blake had texted me.

[Emma's feeling a little dizzy. I'll be home late. Don't wait up.]

Maybe I'd been let down so many times that I didn't expect anything from him anymore. I read the message and felt almost nothing.

I opened the information Celia had sent about the research center and read it again.

They'd offered me a job as an herbalist. I could even pick up where I'd left off on my old project.

They wanted me to come as soon as possible.

I messaged Celia and told her I'd send my onboarding paperwork the next day.

The next morning, I went to my old research center to finish the handover and sign my leaving papers.

My supervisor handed me the signed forms with a sigh.

“Paige, you know this was a funding decision. There's nothing wrong with your research.”

“I know.”

“It's a shame. You were finally getting somewhere.”

I said nothing. Talking about it wouldn't bring the project back.

I went back to my workspace and packed everything that belonged to me.

A few reference books full of notes, the glass mortar I'd used for years, several boxes of herbs and tools, and a pot of silverleaf I'd raised myself.

By the time I finished packing, I had more boxes than I could carry on my own.

After a moment's hesitation, I took out my phone and messaged our group chat.

[I'll finish handing everything over at 6:30. I've got a lot to carry. Could one of you come pick me up?]

Blake answered right away.

[I'll come get you. 6:30, right?]

Eli replied too.

[I'll come along. You could use an extra pair of hands.]

Then Zane.

[I'll head over as soon as I get off work.]

Seeing all three replies, I felt a little better.

At 6:30, I carried boxes to the glass doors of the research center. It was already dark, and the streetlights were coming on.

I waited.

And waited.

At 6:50, I finally sent another message.

[Where are you guys?]

No answer.

I called Blake. It rang and rang until the call went unanswered.

Then a new post from Emma appeared on my phone.

The photos showed a newly furnished apartment. A treatment bed stood by the window, with shelves for herbs covering the wall. Blake was on a step stool securing one of the shelves. Eli was carrying a large box, and Zane was kneeling on the floor, putting a table together.

Her caption read:

[My very own treatment room, finally! I don't know what I'd do without you guys. This would've taken me forever!]

So that was where they were.

I let out a bitter laugh and called a cab. Just as I was about to start moving the boxes, a cleaner noticed me holding a flowerpot with several boxes at my feet.

“That's a lot of stuff to carry on your own! Here, let me help.”

She helped carry my boxes to the curb, then carefully placed my silverleaf in the cab.

I thanked her again and again, though my chest ached.

A stranger had shown more concern for me than the three people who'd promised to come.

We'd barely driven two blocks when Blake finally texted.

[Are you still at the lab? Emma needed help setting up. I thought Eli had you covered.]

Eli's message came right after.

[I thought Blake was picking you up. I should've checked. Sorry, Paige.]

Then Zane's.

[Wait, nobody picked you up? I thought you guys had that sorted.]

I stared at my phone and laughed once.

They'd all remembered to help Emma move. Somehow, every single one of them had forgotten me.

Blake sent another message.

[Do you still need me to come?]

I looked at the red marks the boxes had left on my wrist.

[No.]

When I got home, Emma was sitting in the living room beside a suitcase.

“Paige, you're back!” She gave me a sheepish smile. “Sorry, but I might need to crash here tonight.”

“What happened?”

“The ventilation in my new place broke down, and the whole apartment smells awful. The repair guy can't come until tomorrow.”

“Would it be okay if I stayed just one night?”

Before I could answer, Blake came out of the kitchen.

“Emma can take the guest room. It's only one night.”

He said it like there was nothing to discuss. Like my opinion didn't matter.

Eli picked up one of Emma's bags. “Got anything else in the car? I'll grab it.”

Zane had already opened the guest room door and switched on the light.

Emma gave me an apologetic smile. “Just one night. I won't get in your way.”

I nodded and stepped aside.

What was I supposed to say? They'd already decided.

One by one, they carried Emma's bags into the guest room.

My own box, fresh from the cab, sat untouched by the front door.