Clyde took a step back. “You can’t be serious. You’re going to throw it all away for some old lady? Just like your dad. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Your dad and his dead-end investments, barely scraping by.” He gestured to the prestigious building. “Now, I might overlook that last comment if you talk to Carol again. You can have so much more. I’m sure you dreamed bigger than the life your dad has, or you wouldn’t have applied here. Don’t throw it all away like he did.”
I thought about the two lives that sat in front of me and I knew which one I wanted.
I thought about family dinners, the community trunk-or-treat, and helping the boys with basketball. And hopefully I could do all of it with a fiery wife who loved sprinkled cookies and had a B&B to run. I wanted to be with Marissa and share the special little moments of everyday life.
“My dad has a better life than I ever will working here.” I nodded, resolute. “Sorry, it didn’t work out.” I turned and began down the hall.
“This is my last offer,” he yelled.
“I understand.” I walked to the elevator and loosened my tie before I even made it to the front door. In the foyer, I saw the intern, Becky. I stopped her.
“I need to tell you, you can do better than this. You can be happier than this. These people are cruel and don’t deserve you. If you ever find yourself in need of a change, email the Elliot Law Firm in Clifton. Tell them Scott sent you. It’s less money, but it turns out money cannot buy happiness.” I left her speechless and nodding.
I left the Raymond & Johnson Law building happier than I went in. I understood my dad more at this moment. One day, he made the choice to put people first and found true happiness and worth. I was just like my dad, and proud to be so.
I knew my future was in Hillsdale, and now that I chose that path, I needed to fix things with Marissa. James said if Marissa’s happiness was in London, I should change my name to London, then I would make her happy. He was crazy, but he was right about something.I could give her London.I sang along to the Christmas songs on the radio as I drove up to the used car lot. I only prayed that she’d still want me after meeting all those British accents.
Nan might not answer, but I knew I could wait her out. Marissa’s car was gone. It was the perfect time to talk about my plan.
I had already purchased a three-week vacation package for Europe with no return ticket. Marissa needed to decide when and if she wanted to come back. I couldn’t cover the three months she was hoping for, but this was a start. Plus, after trading in my carand settling a deal with Carol, I only had fifteen thousand dollars left.
I bundled myself in the blanket on the porch and sat by Nan’s front door. I wouldn’t force my way in, but I also would not give up. After listening to Jeopardy through the door and hollering the answers as loudly as I could, Nan must have conceded, because the door flew open, and I fell flat on my back.
“Alright, you can come in, but only because I want to beat you good and proper.” She placed her hands on her hips. “No speaking to me about Marissa. That’s between the two of you to work out.”
I couldn’t agree with that. “How about I get one question about Marissa for every answer I get right?”
Nan sat in her chair with a sigh, looking exhausted. “Why did you do it, Scott?”
My stomach dropped to my feet. So much for not talking about Marissa. “I made that stupid deal before I even knew Marissa. I didn’t sign the contract. And not because of her, but because of the life I now want. I was focused on the wrong plan, but Nan, I’ve changed.” I ran my hand through my hair. “I can’t sleep, I can’t focus, and I can’t live like this. Life is gray. I know there is a chance she won’t forgive me, but I’ll never forgive myself if I don’t at least try. Please, hear me out.”
Nan raised an eyebrow. “You hurt her again and I will poison your food.”
I chuckled. “Agreed.”
“You’re aware she’s not able to have kids. Are you fine with that?”
“No . . . I mean yes.” I rubbed my jaw with my hand. “What I mean is . . . it’s not what I thought our future might look like.” The vision of kids in the yard had faded, but Marissa was still there. “But it changes nothing. The life I want is with her. Adoption, or whatever we do, it doesn’t matter if she’s with me.”
“Good. Now, how are yougoing to fix this?”
I stepped out onto the porch and pulled in the purple luggage.
“I’m going to give her London.” I held out the tickets.
Chapter Thirty-Two
MARISSA
I was making progress,and that had to count for something. The therapist Faith had suggested, Sarah, had been another one of those angels Nan had told me to watch for. She listened and was patient. She didn’t pity, but instead validated my pain. Healing would take time, but I could see how much therapy had already helped me shift my mindset. I wanted to be okay in my own skin and love myself. I closed my journal that held the exercises Sarah suggested doing every day. I was ready for the next step. No more sulking about Scott, and how things didn’t work out as I planned. I was still better off knowing Scott, and I would be better for loving him too, eventually.
The Christmas movie marathon with Faith and Rose was a great distraction last night, but it was time to come up with a plan. I tossed back the covers and Nan knocked and threw open my bedroom door. Faith and Rose were right behind her. It was early for Rose to be up, and shouldn’t Faith be at work?
Was it a weekend?Since I had no job, my days all fused together into one long, fuzzy stretch of time.
Faith rushed to my bed, followed by Nan. Rose leaned against the door frame with a smirk on her face.
“What’s going on?” I would've assumed someone died, except their faces were all lit with grins.
