*
A few hours later, I get back in Dennis and start driving home. I’m halfway there when my phone starts ringing, and when I see it’s Kingi, I pull over and answer it.
“Where are you?” he asks.
“On my way home.”
“Come and stay with me tonight.”
My lips curve up. “I need some clothes! I’m still wearing what I wore yesterday.”
“Then go and pick some things up, but come and stay with me. I need you.”
“Aw. What happened today?”
“Nothing bad. I’ll tell you about it when you get here. How are you?”
“I’m okay.” I think about sliding in bed with him, kissing him, making love with him, then curling up beside him for the night. “Yeah, all right, I’ll be over shortly.”
“Good girl. See you soon. Love you.”
“Love you,” I say shyly, and we end the call.
I drive back to the house I share with the girls in a bit of a daze. I’m worried about this moving so fast… but then I think of the fact that my dad asked my mum to marry her just days after meeting her. It obviously happens, and they’ve been happily married for nearly thirty years.
After parking Dennis out the front of the house, I get out, and it’s only then that I see Tamati’s car parked just down the road. My heart bangs, but I realize then that I still haven’tspoken to Ria. He’s probably here to see her. Wow, that’s awkward.
I walk slowly up the path and let myself into the house. I can hear voices, and when I go into the living room, I see Tamati sitting on the couch, where he used to sit with me, and his arm is around Ria.
“Hello,” I say evenly.
Lisa is sitting in one of the armchairs, and she gets up and gives me a nervous smile. “Hey, Chess. Everything okay?”
I nod and look at the other two. “So… are you dating now?”
Ria lifts her chin. “Yeah. You didn’t want him, so I didn’t think you’d mind.”
I look at Tamati, who just smirks.
Something settles over me then like a soft mist. You’re not always aware of the passing of time. Days, weeks, months, even years can go by without much changing. And then suddenly you catch sight of yourself in a mirror, or you see someone you haven’t seen for a long time, and it’s a shock to comprehend how things have moved on, and how much has changed.
This is one of those moments. Without realizing it, my whole life has subtly shifted. It’s as if I thought the stars above my head were static, but I’ve filmed the night sky on a long exposure camera, and now I can finally see the way the heavens rotate above me. I’ve moved on. I’ve outgrown my old life. Running the business and being with Kingi have given me more confidence and an understanding of myself that wasn’t there before. I no longer feel that everyone else is better than I am. I’ve run the company for months and I’ve done a damned good job at turning things around. I might not have Sabrina’s beauty, wealth, or contacts, but I know that’s not going to play a part in my relationship with Kingi because I have other things to offer. I have a long way to go, but I’ve outgrown my old life.
“I’m very pleased for you both,” I say with as much graciousness as I can muster. “But I’ll be moving out.” I walk out of the room and down to my bedroom, go into the bathroom, and pick up the things I need. Afterward, I come out and take a bag out of the cupboard, and start stuffing in some of my clothes.
Lisa appears in the doorway, looking pained. “Please, don’t do this. We can work this out. I don’t want him in the house either. We’ll tell Ria that if she’s going to meet him, she’ll have to do it somewhere else.”
But I shake my head. I like Lisa, and I’ll miss her, but I know she would never have the courage to say that to Ria, and anyway, it’s time for me to move on. “It’s okay, you’ll find another tenant.”
“But where will you go?”
“I’m moving in with Kingi.” I thought I might feel sad as to leave, but my heart soars as I zip up the bag. I give her a hug. “Thank you for everything,” I tell her. “I’ll be back over the next day or two to pick up all my stuff.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispers.
“It’s not your fault. It’s okay. Take care of yourself.”
I don’t go back into the living room. I walk down the hallway and out the front door, and close it behind me.