Jenny narrowed her eyes and leaned towards me. “Or maybe I’ll get to broaden my horizons. Did you think of that? Instead of just talking about moving somewhere new and doing something different, I’m going out and doing it.” Jenny stood up and waved for Mack to follow. “Come on, Mack. Let’s go.”
Mack stood reluctantly. “Sorry, Page. I should have warned you. She’s been a little touchy about it. She’ll come around.”
With a wave to Noah, he took off after Jenny, who was weaving past a few street performers.
I slammed my elbow on the table and rested my chin in my hand. “She’s leaving me.”
“I’m sorry.” Noah rested an arm around the back of my chair and angled himself toward me. “I know you’re close with your cousins.”
“It’s not just that. It’s all so selfish. We’d planned on going to Portland together. We’d planned on visiting Boones-Dock together. It’s selfish of her.”
Noah took a sip of his water as he watched me with his steady gaze.
I slumped forward. “Okay, fine. It’s selfish of me to want her to plan her life around me. I’m the selfish one, but I’m still mad.”
“You’re the least selfish person I know.”
I leaned my head against his shoulder despite the humid heat. “It’s only that—well, we talked about traveling ever since we were little girls. We’d planned to do it together. She’s the one I go on weekend trips with. I’ve been saving for our big trips, but we haven’t done anything. Nothing big. Not like we’d planned as little girls.”
He reached up and gently brushed his fingers against my shoulder.
“Now she’s going without me. I’ll still be here. I know I should be happy she’s doing something. And goodness knows she needs a break from her family.”
“Come on. You can tell me all about the travel plans you made with Jenny while we play tourist. I’d love to hear about them.” I smiled as he gently pulled me to my feet and we made our way outside the Café.
“I’m sorry I’m such a grump,” I apologized.
“It’s okay.” He squeezed my hand as we walked towards St. Louis Cathedral. The street artists lined the road. The jazz music filled the air. And I still felt lost at sea.
“We were supposed to travel the world together—live in exotic places—and she’s doing it without me.”
“I don’t know if I’d call Oregon exotic.”
I waved a hand through the air. “She’s still going somewhere.”
“Why don’t you go?”
I glanced at him, wondering if he’d lost his mind. “For example, money seems to be a major issue. What I want to do and what makes money are two different things.”
“And what is it you want to do?”
“I love creating things. I love drawing, designing, painting.”
His lips twitched, but he nodded. “Why can’t you have a career in those things?”
“Because I didn’t like working in an art gallery. It’s just not my thing. I’d rather be creating something—like this art and wine night that I’m planning for you. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had this much fun working on a project.”
“Maybe that’s your answer.”
“What, being the official art and wine night coordinator?”
He smiled and squeezed my hand. “Find the part of it you like and find out how you can turn it into a career. I believe you could make a career out of anything you put your mind to. It doesn’t have to be one thing, either.”
“I’d be tied down here. I’d be stuck here with a career.”
He looked at me with raised eyebrows, a challenge in his eye. “Is that all that’s holding you back from pursuing something you love?”
I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked straight ahead. It was annoying how he saw straight through me. “Fine. It’s just that I’ve dreamed and planned my trips for so long, what if I travel and it’s still not the answer? What if I go around the world, and I’m bored? What’s next after that? I get bored so easily. I hate doing the same thing over and over again.”
“Traveling isn’t going to make you bored. It’s also not going to be the answer to whatever it is you’re looking for.”
“I know,” I whispered. “That’s why I’m scared. I’ve acted like traveling will solve all my problems, but if I travel the world, I’m still bringing myself.”
Noah released my hand and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Why would you want to run from yourself?”
Stopping in the middle of the sidewalk, I turned to face him. “I’m indecisive. I never finished college. I’m still not sure what to do with my life. The one person I could count on to be at the same stage as me was Jenny. Now she’s moving. I’ll still be working in the coffee shop when my sisters and little brother are doctors, lawyers, or whatnot. I’ll still be dreaming about traveling, never doing it, and working part-time jobs to make ends meet. What kind of person am I?”
Noah pulled me into his chest and hugged me. “The best kind. No one’s life looks the same. Stop comparing your life with other people’s. It doesn’t have to look the same. Who told you that you needed to change?”
I let myself sink into the warmth of his arms. It was sweltering hot already, and I knew I was sweating leaning on him, but it was worth it.
“Why are you so good to me all the time?”
He chuckled, causing his chest to shake under my cheek. “Because you keep sending me animals.”
“I knew there was an ulterior motive,” I laughed.
“Come on. Let’s go inside the cathedral and take an annoying number of selfies. Then afterward, we’ll go walk the streets and let people hustle us out of our money.”
I nodded. “That sounds amazing.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
NOAH
It took Page a full two days to come around to supporting Jenny in her decision to move to Oregon. She’d explained to me that Jenny didn’t have the most supportive family and that it would be good for her to put some distance between them.
Page spent one of our dates telling me about all the activities she’d found for Jenny to do when she moved to Oregon. Numbered at the top was snowboarding in the winter and visiting a natural hot spring. Page thought the hot springs sounded fantastic. She told me we should fly out to Oregon to go with Jenny—I told her I didn’t want to see a bunch of naked people. She agreed that that part didn’t sound great either.
She had finally shown me her ideas for the art and wine night. It would be hard to know if it would be successful until after the art night. We weren’t requiring RSVPs and were instead making it open to the public. Page was working out a deal with the art gallery owner, Carlotta, and was doing a big favor for me. I was a little nervous to see how the decorations turned out. Page made me promise that she would have free rein. I agreed and regretted it whenever I remembered Edwina and Zeke.
I took a sip of my Coke as I watched my sister across the table from me. We’d finally managed to get lunch together, and it had been far too long.
“How are you? Really?” Dani asked as she shoveled food into her mouth faster than someone at a hot dog eating contest.
“Um, I’m fine.”
More salad disappeared.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah! Great! Just great,” she answered between gulps of water and bites of food.
“Dani, why don’t you take a breath between those bites? It’s your day off. The kids are with mom. You’re not on call.”
She dropped her fork with a clatter, and her shoulders drooped. “I hadn’t even realized what I was doing. I’m so used to having to rush if I want to eat a meal.”
“Are you sure that’s healthy?”
“Who’s the pediatrician here?” she asked with raised eyebrows. Then she smiled and gestured to the salad left in front of her. “I try to make healthy choices for my speed eating.”
“Why do you feel so stressed?”
She sighed as she took a long—slow—sip
of water. “You know, I’m actually really happy right now. I think it’s more from habit. Lunch is always rushed at work because of over-scheduling appointments. Then when I’m home, I’m taking care of the kids.”
“You need a vacation.”
“Yes, we’re planning a trip to Disneyland with the kids—”
I shook my head. “No, Dani, you and Robby need to take a trip. Just the two of you. Go find a beach somewhere and lay on it.”
Her eyes narrowed. “This coming from my workaholic brother? Mr. Thrives-on-business?”
She wasn’t wrong, but everyone has a breaking point, and she looked like she was getting close to hers. “Sell your mini-farm.”
Her horrified look made me think I’d accidentally suggested that she sell one of her children. “My children will grow up in the country. They’ll get to have pets. Don’t ever suggest such a horrible thing!”
“Noted. How are Edwina and Zeke doing?”
“Sydney carries ‘Wina” with her everywhere. I even caught her smuggling that chicken into her bed. Remind me to pay you back someday. How did they end up at the golf course? You never told me.”
That didn’t sound so good. I didn’t want her to pay me back—and I wasn’t sure how to tell her about where the animals came from.
Dani and I hadn’t talked in a couple of months. With her work and mine, we were like ships passing in the night. Getting a kid-free lunch with her? Pretty much a pumpkin spice miracle. Needless to say, she would not be happy with me when she found out I was dating someone and hadn’t told her.
“My girlfriend gave them to me.”
The bite of lettuce on Dani’s fork fell onto her lap. She didn’t notice. “Girlfriend? Mom didn’t tell me! Neither did Grandma.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I wanted to be the one to tell you. And it’s just that work has been crazy, and whenever I take time off, Page and I spend time together.”
“Oh.”
I nodded. Dani knew that I wouldn’t take time away from work unless it was for a woman that I was serious about. Once upon a time, I’d told Dani I wouldn’t take time off work for a girl unless I planned to marry her.
“Oh, I see.” She nodded and dabbed at her mouth with a napkin. “What does the ring look like?”
She’d remembered—and knew I would already have a ring in mind.
“I’ve decided on a rose gold design with a brown diamond. It’s not finished yet.”
She nodded. Dani was fantastic. I didn’t have to explain myself to her—she understood. “When do I get to meet her?”
“She has a strange schedule.”
“What does she do?”
“She’s an artist who used to work in an art gallery.”
“How prestigious.”
I chuckled. “It’s not that kind of art gallery—she actually quit last week.”
“Okay, now you’re just making me curious.”
“She’s a barista—or coffee shop owner—in the mornings and a wandering soul with a love for painting and decorating.
“Wow. You actually know this girl. This is real.”
I fought the urge to shrug. “It feels real to me. I only hope that I’m enough for her.”
Dani’s gaze sharpened on me. “What do you mean?”
“She’s fun. She’s exciting. She’s not afraid to live outside of the box.”
“Aha. Well, maybe you level each other out. Has she gotten you to do anything you normally wouldn’t?”
“I’m supposed to go to a Harvest party at her family’s this week.”
“What? That is super serious. You’re meeting the family.”
“Yeah, I guess so. I’ve already met her immediate family and two of her cousins, Mack and Jenny. Going to the Halloween party isn’t that big of a deal.”
“You hate Halloween.”
“I don’t hate it, per se. I just don’t care about it.”
“Even worse. You’re apathetic about a holiday, and now she’s got you going to a Harvest party meeting the family. The kids don’t understand why you don’t love the candy.”
“Three-hundred-sixty-four days out of the year, parents teach their kids to not talk to strangers. Then one day a year, they tell them to knock on strangers’ doors and ask for candy. And you think I’m messed up for not liking Halloween.” I shook my head. I had perfectly good reasons for not liking Halloween.
She laughed, “I can’t wait to meet the girl who talked you into Halloween. What’s she like?”
“She’s—well, she’s the only woman I’ve met that’s like her. She throws herself into everything. She doesn’t hold back.”
“Not reserved? How refreshing.” Dani leaned forward to steal a drink of Coke from my glass.
“I know, right? She’s not afraid to say how she feels. She doesn’t pretend to be something she’s not. I don’t have to pretend with her either. I can just be myself.”
Dani glanced at me sharply. “Does she know how you feel?”
“I’ve told her.”
“You’ve told her? Hmm.” She took another long drink of my Coke.
“What do you mean by that? You know I wouldn’t say something unless I meant it.”
“Of course, I know that. But I’ve also had the benefit of knowing you your whole life. She hasn’t.” She finally set my glass back on the table. “You’re not as, well, shall we say, effusive as some people. I’m glad you’ve told her how you feel.”
It was a good thing I knew that Page understood me. She knew that I cared more for her than anything else. I knew she cared for me too. I just didn’t know if I could compare with what the rest the world had to offer.
“Let me tell you about the art night Page is planning for the golf course...”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
PAGE
Noah sat with me in my tiny house while I did something so rare, so out of character, I needed someone there to witness the event so they could tell the tale to future generations.
I was folding my laundry.
Noah had taken the afternoon off—also a rare event. He didn’t know that I silenced his phone while he was in the bathroom. I didn’t need Kent calling and ruining this perfect afternoon for me. Kent could handle any problems that arose at the golf course—I was going to enjoy Noah’s company.
I already knew how I was going to set up the art night. Noah was taking care of the extra staff, and I was taking care of the displays and decorations. It was the most fun I’d had doing a job. It was something I could happily do every day.
Now it was just a matter of figuring out how.
“If I’m going to your family’s Halloween party, I’m going to need an outfit.”
I couldn’t believe he was coming to the Halloween party. For one, it was much too soon for him to meet Mimi. I didn’t want him to meet several of the Boone family members—ever. I was too scared he wouldn’t want to stick around after that.
“Are you sure? Because my family likes to go all out for holidays. There’s even going to be a pumpkin carving contest. I mean, if you’re not up for it...”
He slid the rolling chair away from my desk and towards me. He stopped when it hit my Sherpa rug. “Oh, I’m up for it. Don’t think I can’t handle a little family get-together. Besides, I’m looking forward to meeting Mimi.”
I tapped a finger to my lips. “Really, it might be too much for your sensitive—”
I didn’t get to finish. His large hand shot out and latched onto my knee and squeezed, making me yelp with laughter. His other hand reached out and grasped my other knee, squeezing while I gasped for air.
“Now who’s sensitive?” He grinned.
“Mercy!” I grasped his wrists, and he stopped tickling my knees. “Okay. You’re not sensitive. But we better go shopping for an outfit for you. We take our costume competition seriously.”
“I’m not surprised.” He stood up and pulled me with him. “Where do we go shopping for a Halloween costume? I’ve never been.”
I stopped at the threshold. “You’ve never been shopping for a Halloween costume? Who are you?”
“I’m your boyfriend.” He smiled, and I couldn’t help but smile back because I liked the sound of that.
But there was an important question I needed answered. “Why haven’t you been shopping for a costume?”
He smirked. “I haven’t dressed up for Halloween since I was eight. You were wrong about me planning to be Captain America when you were guessing the first day we met.”
I gaped at him. “This is—wow. This is horrific. You’ve never been shopping for a costume as an adult. This is the saddest thing I’ve ever heard.”
I swiped at a few fake tears and patted his back. “Come on. This will be an experience you’ll never forget. I feel like I’m back to being your fairy godmother.”
“Anything I do with you is unforgettable,” he answered as he followed me out the door.
I grabbed my keys out of my clutch and headed toward my car, except he grabbed my elbow and gently steered me towards his car. “I’ll drive.”
“Okay, Sunday driver.” I climbed into the passenger seat and inhaled the leather and cinnamon smell. “What is with you and cinnamon gum? You eat it like it’s going out of style.”
“You sure you want to know?” He asked as he turned onto the highway.
“What—does chewing it give you superpowers? Are your good looks derived from chewing cinnamon gum? If you stop chewing it do you age fifty years?”
He chuckled as he grabbed a piece out of the middle console and popped it in his mouth. “Nope. Even worse. I quit smoking.”
I stared at him. “You smoked?”
He nodded but kept his eyes on the road.
“Wow. I never would have imagined you as someone who smoked. Isn’t it common knowledge that it will kill you? How often?”
“I’m not sure how often people die from it.”
I leaned over and smacked his arm.
He grimaced. “Two packs a day.”
I reached into the middle console and unwrapped a second piece of gum and handed it to him. He laughed. “I’ve gotten past it—mostly. Now the gum has become a habit. But when I talk about smoking or smell it, sometimes it makes those old cravings come back. More than anything, it was my way of de-stressing.”
Friends Like These Page 14
