I stood by the large window and watched as he crossed the quiet parking lot outside.

For the very first time since I had met him, Gavin looked like a mature man bearing the full weight of his own life responsibilities instead of expecting me to carry them for him.

Whether he possessed the strength to continue doing that moving forward was no longer my burden to worry about.

PART 10

Later that evening, I opened the jar of Rose’s homemade raspberry jam.

Chloe had brought up a fresh loaf of crusty bread from the artisanal bakery located downstairs.