The morning after, Emma wakes up to find Vince reading on the sofa. She asks if he wants to grab a coffee, and then they can pick up his luggage from Ellies. They head to the corner café; Vince sits at the table outside with Scotch while Emma goes inside to order. 

“The Americano as well today?”

Emma smiles and says, “Yes, and two bacon breakfast sandwiches.” 

“We’ll have those right out to you.”

When she gets outside, she hands Vince his Americano and sees that he’s writing in a notebook.

“How long are you here for?” Vince asks as he closes his notebook. Emma looks out at the street and then back to him.

“Well, I might have a project here, and then I think I’m going to find a new manager or try on my own. She takes a sip of her drink. Vince looks estranged and says,

“Well, what about Cleo? I thought he insisted that you two be near each other for these projects?” 

Emma nods, “That’s the thing Cleo’s in New York. I don’t know for how long, but this will be my last assignment with him.” As they bring out their breakfast sandwiches, Vince gets upset. 

“So, you came back here with Cleo? You made it seem like you came back for us. But he is here. Was this his idea? Don’t answer that. Emma, I want to trust you, but I need time. I’ll be home tonight.” Vince gets up so quickly to leave that he forgets his notebook. Emma finishes her sandwich, takes his sandwich, and takes Scotch for a walk before going to the apartment that’s no longer home. When she gets there, she doesn’t dare open his notebook; instead, she goes over the assignments that Cleo emailed her to work on. While she’s looking for her stash of notebooks and pens, she finds a dark green and brown journal and opens it to find:

     A fool is within me.

Where my love has grown shallow,

When she says, “I love you.”, I don’t feel it.

Where many are within reach, and I’m ready to swim oceans for the one that’s overseas.

A fool is within me.

I think that as I climb this mountain, where I will prove my love and stability.

When she says, “I love you.” She doesn’t mean it.

Only a fool could chase a fickle love that’s unattainable, not unconditional. 

     Emma turns the page with tears in her eyes,

I think I loved her too much. That’s what made it unattainable. I thought I loved her unconditionally because of that feeling whenever I saw her in any room. Thinking about it now, that feeling turns my stomach with disgust. 

Emma then closes the book, grabs her bag, and heads to Ellies, hoping to find Vince there. When she gets there, Ellie opens the door and hugs her.

“It’s been years! I am so happy to see you Em!”

Emma pulls away, “Oh my, you’re due any day now, aren’t you!”

Ellie guided Emma towards the kitchen. When they get to the kitchen, Emma sees Vince sitting outside staring. As she continues looking around, she finds old photos on the fridge. She and Ellie had practically grown up together as sisters would. Over the last few years, she hasn’t talked to any of her friends or family. 

     Ellie hands Emma a glass of water and says,

“Look, this might not be my place, but Vince doesn’t deserve this. If you have any uncertainty, let him go. Stop coming back and sending things on your terms.”

Emma wipes tears away. 

“Thanks, Ellie, just thanks. Tell him I’m leaving or don’t. Thank you for being his friend.”

Ellie goes to hug Emma, but Emma pushes her away and leaves. As she walks out, tears fall as quickly as rain, and she takes a taxi back home. When she gets back, she gets all her luggage out to pack up everything she has left, and the most complicated part is that she can’t choose to pack up the memories or not. They must come with her. When she packs everything up, she places her key on the counter with a note that says, “Love you, Vince.” She calls Cleo and says she can’t continue the project with him. While walking out, she stops to let Benny say goodbye to Scotch, and he helps her load everything into the taxi. She gets to a car rental, loads everything up, along with Scotch in the backseat, and heads out of New York. 

     Vince comes home at 8 with her favorite pizza and a bottle of wine for them to share. Only to find her key on the counter. He sees his notebook and pulls out his phone to call her, but she doesn’t answer. After sending many texts, he drinks the wine straight from the bottle. 

To Be Continued…