actly one rule when
derestim
hen holding a mug of instant coffee she didn't remember
d slep
rom such dramatic things-but because her brain
could s
es were st
death excessive, or
ibrated on
: I'm do
ked on he
y?" she
ced at t
1 a
cou
d mornings were
e outfit she owned-loose jeans, a neutral sweater, hair
te to
d the doo
pt in like a
and a cardigan despite the early hour. Her hair was neatly pinned, her gaz
uth ti
how you live
akly. "Good mor
ide, setting her suitcase
glancing around. "No s
door behind her
Lin t
g. "Writing nonsense
it back
Aunt Lin was like a
neatly, and draped it over the back o
you make?" Au
y fr
she said
"Enough for take
opened the fridge without askin
rocer
at o
idge with quiet judgme
ge to point out that
nt a cup of coffee, hoping
did
small dining table. Emily slouched. Aun
ty-four," Au
odded.
already had re
y wa
. No childr
plan," E
sed an eyebr
pened h
sed
otionally damaged men was not a plan
if deeply disappoi
matchmaker in
heart
Lin continued. "Stable fami
mud. Silence.
said imm
's eyes
," she said. "At th
ers curled i
will me
forward. "Aun
n said calmly
ag and placed a folded
sche
it like it was a
the ticket," Aunt
ttle hysterically.
n met h
s died," she said quietly. "I c
nded heavier
swal
e problem w
idn't
deci
Emily said, mo
n studi
afraid,"
lied instantly.
gives st
es chores," E
ed. "You speak
don't want love. I don't want kids. I don
pa
expressio
an
nc
t normal,"
thinly. "It
stood a
," she said. "You
tood to
rned back,
added, "you ha
le
linked.
uce one. Three months. If you a
stared
e mo
usb
rain
oss
ntinued, "you return hom
in, breathless. "
tcase. "Life is ridiculous
sed at
y path," Aunt Lin said. "T
oor c
en in the silenc
ollapsed o
e mo
usb
her palms
was
y b
hone
notification f
n't marry he
red at th
ow
began
ed back,
she murmur
ge was in
ould make
ea
por
rely on
Parker
three
tended to
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