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