This isn’t fair.

Closing my eyes, I let my tears fall. Angela’s hand rested softly on my shoulder as it squeezed ever so slightly. Giving me just the strength I needed to keep talking.

Opening my eyes, I smiled as I continued to talk to Lisa. “I know you’ll always be here for Noah and Em, I strongly believe that. There won’t be a day that goes by that they won’t miss you or think about you, Lisa. But they also don’t want to see you in pain anymore. It’s okay to let go. They’re both ready, and they will be okay. They’re hurting more now watching you suffer.” Lifting Lisa’s hand, I gently kissed the back of it.

“I swear to you, I’ll take care of them both. I swear.”

The door to the bedroom opened as I glanced over and saw Noah, Emily, and Grayson walk in. Grayson gave me a weak smile. Noah had called him yesterday and Grayson said he would be on the next plane out. Even though Noah had only been in Grayson’s life off and on growing up, they had grown close these last four years.

“Hey, your favorite nephew, Gray, is here,” I said as I stood up and stepped back so Noah, Emily, and Grayson could stand around Lisa.

Grayson wiped away a single tear that had managed to escape and make its way down his face. Leaning over, Grayson kissed her forehead and gently spoke, “Aunt Lisa, I love you. I’ll miss you but I swear, I won’t let Noah become a male stripper.”

The room erupted in laughter. It was a magical thing to hear. When everyone finally settled down and the room became quiet, Lisa opened her eyes. My breath caught in my throat as I stood back and watched. Lisa looked at Grayson first, then Emily, and finally Noah. Angela grabbed my hand and squeezed it.

This must be it.

Lisa stared at Noah for a few moments before turning her head and looking straight up at the ceiling.

After a few moments, Lisa’s eyes closed . . . and she took her last breath.

Grayson and I stood in the living room while Noah and Emily spent a few moments with their mother. Angela had made all the necessary phone calls that needed to be made.

When my phone went off with a text, I knew it was Meagan. Rushing to the front door, I threw it open and ran outside. Meg was getting out of her Honda Accord and rushing around the front of it. Slamming into her body, I lost it. I’d never in my life cried like I cried when I saw her.

“She’s gone, Meg. She’s gone.”

Meagan held onto me tightly as she whispered, “Shh, it’s okay, Grace. She’s in a better place. There’s no more pain.”

Feeling my legs wanting to give out, I fought with all my might to stay standing. “I’m scared for, Noah. I’m so scared for him.”

Meagan continued to talk me down from the ledge I was walking on. When I finally pulled back, I didn’t have any tears left to cry.

“Better?” she asked.

Nodding my head, I wiped my face clear of tears. “Damn, you always did have good timing.”

Meagan shrugged. “What can I say? It’s a gift some of us have. Remember the time I busted into the bathroom right before Drake the mistake almost gave you your first hickey?”

Laughing, I nodded my head. “Yes. I do remember that.”

Meagan looked over my shoulder. Dropping her mouth open, she said, “Holy strip me out of my clothes and take me now.”

Looking back over my shoulder, I saw Grayson standing on the porch. Lifting his hand, he gave a weak smile. “You okay, Grace?”

Barely lifting my hand, I nodded. “Yeah. Sorry, I’ll be right in.”

Grayson nodded and then looked at Meagan. Something passed over his face, but he turned before I could read it. Glancing back at Meagan, I watched as she stared after Grayson.

“Fuck. Me.”

“You wish he would,” I said with a snicker.

Meagan snapped her head back at me and said, “That’s the stripper! The guy who Lauren had wrapped around her finger in Durango.”

Widening my eyes, I said, “Have I not told you about Grayson?”

Meagan’s mouth dropped open as her hands moved to her hips. “Um, no. But considering the circumstances, I’ll let it slide and you can tell me later. There are more important things to deal with rather than the fact that I just found my next mistake.”

Laughing, I wrapped my arm around Meagan’s waist. “Your luggage?”

Meagan motioned for me to walk toward the house. “It can wait. Noah’s going to need you; here come the folks to take his mother’s body.”

Looking down the street, I saw the black hearse pulling up and my stomach instantly recoiled and felt sick.