Page 122 of Irreplaceable
CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT
“Ican’t believe you’re leaving LA for good!” Juliana said.
“Me either.” I laughed. We’d returned from Italy and were spending a few days in LA before officially moving to the Alondra Valley. “But I’m excited. Even if I will miss you guys.”
I glanced over to the couch where Harrison and Preston were making silly faces for Aiden, along with Alexis’s daughters, Sophia and Blair. Hunter and Enzo stood nearby, watching. Enzo was always watching—a protective and proud father.
I was going to miss my girlfriends. Los Angeles had been my home for the past twenty years, and my friends—Juliana, Alexis, and Lauren—were more like sisters. But I had to do what was best for Aiden, and that wasn’t LA.
Juliana sighed, wrapping her arm around me. “I know you need to do this, but I’m going to miss you so much.”
“I’ll miss you too.” I bit my lip, fighting back tears. I knew they’d all come for the wedding, but that was still six months from now. It seemed like a long time away.
“This is going to be a good thing,” Alexis said, joining us with a bottle of prosecco and two glasses. Lauren followed behind with two more glasses.
Just as Alexis was about to pop the cork, I said, “I don’t know. This feels too bittersweet to be a celebration.”
“Harper,” Juliana said. “Do you remember the night I was moving out of my old house—the one I’d shared with Ryan?”
My lips automatically curved into a smile at the memory, and I nodded. The four of us had sat on the back patio for hours, drinking and talking. At the time, I’d wanted to be a mom so badly, I ached. For many years, it had seemed like a dream that would never be realized. A dream that I’d sacrificed to travel the world and have my career. And now, the opposite seemed true.
“That was definitely a bittersweet moment,” Juliana said. “But you know what? We still drank prosecco and ate charcuterie and talked and laughed.”
That felt like so long ago. Juliana had sold her house and was moving in with Harrison. As much as she loved him, the move was tinged with sadness. She was saying goodbye to her past and moving on with her future. Just as I was now closing this door on an amazing chapter in my life.
“You have always been there for me,” Juliana said, a tear winding its way down her cheek before she quickly wiped it away. “And I will always be there for you. No matter whether you live in Fall River or Timbuktu.”
“Me too,” said Lauren. And Alexis echoed her sentiment.
I sniffed and glanced to the ceiling. “Hey! I’m really trying not to cry here.”
Alexis opened the bottle and poured us each a glass. We lifted our glasses into the air, and Juliana said, “To friendship.”
“To friendship,” we all repeated. And then I swallowed down the sparkling beverage.
I stared into my glass, the bubbles so happy and light. I tried to hold it together. “I’m going to miss you guys so much.”
“It’s not forever,” Juliana said with a smile that I was sure she meant to be reassuring. “It’s just for now.”
I rolled my eyes and groaned. “Is that another one of your Zen guru’s sayings?” I teased, using the nickname she’d given Harrison when they’d first started dating.
“You know…” She scrunched up her nose. “I think it might be. Or maybe Deepak Chopra. Or did I hear that on Marie Forleo’s podcast?”
The four of us laughed, but then the mood turned more somber. Juliana was right—this wasn’t forever, but it was the beginning of something new and different. As much as we all wanted to say that our friendship wouldn’t change, I knew it wouldn’t be the same. But I had faith that it would continue to evolve and grow as it had always done.
* * *
“It’s the big day,”Juliana said, fluffing out the bottom of my gown.
The lace gown was strapless and fitted to my body before flaring out around my legs. The intricate pattern had been woven just for me, and I’d never felt more beautiful. My hair was down in long, loose waves that hung past my shoulders, and a simple veil completed the look.
“Are you ready?” Lauren asked, while the makeup artist touched up my lipstick.
I laughed. “Ready for what? Enzo and I already have a house, a life, a kid, together.”
“True, but it’s your wedding day. This is a big deal!” Alexis said.
Six months had passed in the blink of an eye. I’d seen my friends more than I’d dared hope for. And Aiden was now walking and talking up a storm.