I'd get through this, and then I'd have a car ride to feel sorry for myself. I finished packing my stuff, then headed downstairs to Hayden's room.
I knocked softly on the door, and she said, "Come in."
I opened the door slowly. Her suitcase was on the bed, overflowing with clothes.
She gave me a panicked look. "Can you help me? I think I have more stuff than I brought with me."
I chuckled as I looked at the mound of pastel-colored clothes and bathing suits. "Did you buy a lot of beachwear while you were here?"
"I think so?" Hayden said, and we both erupted into giggles.
"Next time, bring an empty suitcase so you have room to take everything home." Then I sobered because the next time she was here visiting, I wouldn't be living with her.
"I'm going to miss you," Hayden said softly.
"I'm going to miss you too." I hugged her tight. "You have my number. You're welcome to reach out anytime you need anything."
Hayden smiled. "I'll do that."
At least she was just a text away. "Are you feeling better about going back?"
She nodded. "I'm giving it a chance like I promised."
"Let's get to work." I folded her clothes and packed them as tightly as I could. But we still had a bunch of shoes and toiletries that wouldn't fit.
Marshall paused in the doorway. "Are you packed?"
I took a step back. "It doesn't fit."
"I have a duffle that could work," Marshall said without missing a beat.
A few minutes later, he returned with a duffle, opening it on the bed.
Hayden immediately got to work stuffing her things inside of it.
"Pancakes are ready whenever you are," Marshall said before ducking out again.
"I'm going to eat," I said, once most of her things were packed.
Hayden smiled at me. "I'll be there in a minute."
I left her room, my heart feeling heavy as I entered the kitchen for my last Marshall pancake breakfast. I sat at the counter with a stack of pancakes. "I'm going to miss this."
"My pancakes?" Marshall asked with a smile.
"Just those," I said.
He grinned wider. "I'm sure that's not all you'll miss."
I sighed. "I'm going to miss all of it. You. The house. Hayden. The island."
He winked. "It will all be here waiting for you."
Would he really be waiting for me? He hadn't said how he felt about me, even if I could feel the emotions pouring off him in the shower this morning. Before I could say anything about his comment, Hayden appeared, slipping onto the stool next to me. "You spoiled me this summer."
Marshall frowned. "That's not possible. I missed so many moments in your life."
"How will it be now that you're living here full-time? Will you come to my soccer games?" Hayden asked.
