Rose snickered. “Yeah, she might even say she doesn’t like someone.” She faked a gasp.
“Is it a past, parent, PTO, or student?” I asked. Faith didn’t enjoy talking about her past either, but she seemed extra tired and worn out.
Faith sighed. “Tonight is about you. We can go over my drama another time.” She waved off my question. “What if we make London happen? Give you something to focus on. With Nan dating and Harry gone, it’s like Fate is answering you.”
“Here she goes again. Or you could go out with Scott?” Rose pushed. “It’s going to happen. It’s only a matter of time.”
I shook my head. I wasn’t sure I believed in Fate getting me to London, but if it would get Rose off my back about Scott and burning houses, then— “London it is.”
Faith gasped and started clapping. “Really?”
I chuckled at her excitement. “Sure. Let’s make a plan.”
Rose leaned back from the table. “Did I hear you say the P word?”
I sighed. “Just this once.”
Gross.
Chapter Nine
MARISSA
Nan giggledat the breakfast table as Bert brought her some coffee, then she swatted his backside. He sat beside her, and they started kissing. When he knocked her dentures loose, I was out. Like running-for-the-door out. I didn’t need that visual . . . ever again. I shuddered.
I realized that I’d forgotten my jacket and keys, but there was no way I was going back in the house for them. I rubbed my arms as I hustled down the sidewalk. The chilly October day was beautiful, but much too cold.
A bright orange leaf danced through the air as it fell to the ground. Fall, the season of change. I wondered if that was why it had always been my favorite. If the change was waking up each morning to a scene of Bert and Nan making out . . . no thank you.
It was time for a change of my own, and now, before I lost my nerve. Nan had Bert. Obviously. Which meant she no longer needed me. I felt anxiety squeeze my stomach. That happened sooner than I expected. I knew I would most likely end up in a house full of cats, but I thought I would have Nan for a while.
Harry was gone. He didn’t need me at the law office either. Scott would adjust to Hillsdale; it would take time. He would figure it out.
It was time to leap and see if this dream I had reached for could happen. I didn’t want to sit around and be in the way. If I didn’t jump at the chance now, I might chicken out again. I had about five thousand dollars saved. I bet I could make it work. I no longer had time for a well-thought-out plan. I could figure it out as I went. I was ready to leap. I was ready for a change. I took out my phone and texted the girls.
Marissa: I'm buying a ticket for London . . . today. I want to go soon.
Adrenaline rushed through me.
Faith: Dancing Gif. What about forming a plan?
Marissa: Plan Schumann. It will work out. Fate and all that.
Rose: Sexy accents. Yes, PLEASE! Take me with you. Are you sure this is what you want?
Faith: Are you going to give two weeks notice? Like, how soon are we talking?
My shoulder slammed into the mailbox along the sidewalk. Ouch. Ashley’s cat hissed and scampered away. Whoops. I needed to pay attention to where I was walking.
Would Scott need two weeks?
Marissa: Not sure yet. Will see.
I put my phone away and speed-walked the rest of the way. Opening the door to the Hillsdale Law, warm air surrounded me as I made my way to my desk. I was thirty-five minutes early and still didn’t beat Scott to the office; a light glowed from under his door.
In the last week, every time I passed the law office after hours, I saw his car in the parking lot. Did he ever sleep? How many hours a week did he work? If I had said yes to going on a second date, would he have even found the time?
I wondered what a date with Scott would be like. Not a rushthrough the corn maze, but something else. Would we have held hands again? Would he have a ridiculous thought-out plan by the minute?
