His brow furrows. “Where do you think he’s going?”
“I don’t know,” I admit. “He went to college in Bozeman, so—maybe he’s on his way to see someone? Or…”
Something has occurred to me. I literally can’t believe I didn’t think of it sooner. I think it’s testament to how whirlwind yesterday was and how much my attention was focused on the quilts, because once it jumps into my head, I can’t unthink it.
I bite my lip.
“What?” he asks.
“Before Paul moved to Rush Creek, he lived in Sioux Falls. With his?—”
My heart is pounding. I can’t make myself finish the sentence.With his previous girlfriend. Grace Vain.
When I look up, Rhys is watching me. Like he knows exactly what I was going to say. His expression is wary and also pitying. “You’re probably right about Bozeman,” he says, but he can’t make it sound convincing.
He thinks I might be right. About where Paul went.
I look down at my phone again.
“What are you doing?” His voice is alarmed.
“Looking at his social media.”
“Don’t do that.”
“I just need to know.”
His voice is gruff. Irritated. “You need to know what?”
“Where he’s going.”
“And how will you find that out?”
“Maybe he posted something.”
He’s shaking his head. “Eden?—”
I ignore him, tapping open Facebook. Instagram. Threads. Bluesky.
Paul hasn’t posted anything on social media.
But maybe his parents have?
“Eden,” Rhys says, more sharply, but I ignore him.
There’s nothing obvious on his mother’s Instagram. Nothing that saysMy son just called off his wedding to chase after his ex-girlfriend who is clearly the love of his life.
But now that I’ve let myself think it, I can’t let it go.
I pull up Grace’s Insta feed, scroll back, and there it is.
Grace has posted a photo of herself, looking fabulous. Long shapely legs under a short, flared skirt, a blouse that nips in at her slim waist. Shiny dark hair to her shoulder blades, smoky eyes, berry-red lips. And beneath it, the caption:Hey all. Doing this on social media to get it done all at once. Henry and I called off our engagement. It was a mutual decision, and we’re both doing okay with it. Thanks for not asking too many questions for a little while.
Posted less than twenty-four hours before Paul’s disheveled appearance at our last pre-wedding meeting.
I’m going to be sick.
I sink down onto the bed for a moment until the sensation passes.
