Clare looked down at the pages. They had spent months designing the perfect honeymoon. They had never discussed what would happen if their marriage stopped feeling perfect. She touched one page. Bass Harbor head.
I'm keeping this. Grant tore it carefully from the packet. Fine. He studied the rest and removed the sailing page. Why that one?
The cake wasn't on the itinerary. Good point. They walked back to the inn near the lobby recycling bin. Clare stopped. Grant held out the remaining pages.
Together they dropped them in. No dramatic goodbye. No final kiss. No promise to be friends. Grant only said, "I'm sorry, Clare."
She believed that, too. I know. He left that afternoon. Clare watched his rental car pull away from the window. For the first time, she did not imagine chasing it.
Mason found her later near the fireplace. Lily was upstairs packing. He sat beside Clare but left space between them. Grant left. Yes.
Mason nodded. Clare waited. Nothing else came. She almost laughed. You really make people work for conversation.
I'm improving. Slowly. He looked at her. Clare folded her hands. I like you.
Mason's expression softened. But I'm not going to stand outside your life while you decide whether I'm safe enough to enter it. He looked down. This isn't about Lily. It is partly No. Lily asked me to Thanksgiving.
Lily has made her position very clear. Mason almost smiled. Clare continued. You're scared. Yes, I understand why.
That doesn't mean you have to wait for me. Good. That surprised him. Clare stood. I spent years waiting for a life to happen because I had planned it.
I'm done waiting for people to become ready on my schedule. Mason looked at her. That sounded healthy. Don't ruin it. She walked away.
For the rest of the day, Mason gave her space. Clare hated how much she noticed. The next morning was their last in Maine. Clare had just managed to close her suitcase when someone knocked. Mason stood outside.
No, Lily. Clare glanced down the hallway. Where's your committee chair? Breakfast. You left her unsupervised.
She's with three grandmothers. Clare nodded. You'll never get her back. Mason leaned against the doorframe. I want to ask you something.
That sentence has gone badly for me this week. Dinner. She waited. In Boston. Still waiting.