That evening, Anthony tried to convince Clara to stay at his place again. Though they wouldn't be sharing a bedroom, she stood firm in her refusal.
"Let's save living together for after the wedding," she told him.
Anthony didn't object. As long as Clara married him, he could wait a little longer.
"Where will you stay then?"
"With a friend who lives alone—I'll keep her company." Clara wasn't lying. That friend was her closest confidante, Beth.
Anthony nodded. As Clara reached the doorway with her suitcase, he called out to her. His tall frame seemed oddly lonely standing in the foyer.
"Clara, if you ever need somewhere to go, come back. I won't push you into anything you don't want."
She forced a smile. "I know."
Wheeling her suitcase out, Clara left Anthony's place and called Beth.
