I nodded. “Okay, hit me.”
“Do you still have feelings for Matt?”
“I love him as a friend.”
“Do you remember that his family is loaded?”
“Yes, hard to forget.”
“Do you remember that he is also a doctor, so he will have his own independent wealth?”
“It has been brought to my attention before.”
“Are you considering the amazing olive-skinned, beautiful children you would have with Matt?”
“If he even has kids!” I pointed out. “He's on the fence about having his own children, and the kids would be cute because of me, not him.”
“Fair.”
“Do you realize that Matt and my dear husband, Gus, will still be best friends, so when Matt does settle down and get married, I’ll have to hang out with Matt and his new partner? Like engagement parties, bridal showers, baptisms…”
“I promise not to hold it against you or get my feelings hurt, and I promise not to expect Gus to love whoever I end up with.”
Veronica was quiet for a minute, and then turned and whispered, “But like they are so, so rich…”
I let out a little chuckle. “I know, girl. But I was never into Matt for the money. I hope he makes some nice lady so happy and so rich.” I smiled at Veronica. “He is a nice guy, and honestly, the relationship made sense in college. But once youand Gus started the next phase of your lives, the big wedding and house and now the baby, I just realized I didn't really want to do those things with Matt. I always went along with what everyone else liked, and it was never a problem because I never made a fuss. I think, because of the timing, everyone thought it was about my mom, like grief made me blow up my relationship, but it wasn’t just the grief.”
Veronica’s eyes shifted, and I knew she was listening. I sighed and continued as I stirred butter into my bowl of grits. “Really, it was like it was the last lesson my mom got to teach me. Because watching her die so young, I realized I needed to start living for me, the way she did. My mom died with no regrets. She lived her life exactly the way she wanted to. Being a single mom in a town like this was not easy, but this is where she wanted to be. So, I’m working on doing what feels right to me and on telling people the truth about how I’m feeling—not just telling them what will make hard moments easier.” I took a deep breath. It felt good to unload that. I looked anxiously at Veronica to see how she’d react.
Veronica reached across the table and squeezed my hand. We were quiet for a moment. Then she clucked her tongue and said, “Wow, that was some good dick you had last night. Like better than five years of grief therapy.” I let a laugh burst from my lips. Veronica shook her head chuckling. “But seriously, good for you, Kit.”
We ate and chatted for a bit, then Veronica said, “Okay, are you ready for the next elephant?”
I wasn’t sure where she was going to go, but I said. “Yes, shoot.”
“So, you no longer think William is an obnoxious grifter?”
“Okay, I never called him a grifter, but correct. I don’t think that anymore.”
“How did this happen? I thought you had sworn him off after New Year’s Eve. Like really iced him out.”
I made a tsk sound. “Yeah, so I’m learning that I jumped to some conclusions about William and the lady I saw him with on New Year’s Day. My bad. And even though I was an ice queen, he still walked me home every Tuesday and Thursday night to spend time with me.”
“I see. I didn’t realize you two were spending so much time together.” Veronica had a playful glint in her eye. “And do you still think he’s going to move when this redevelopment project is over?”
“I’m not really sure.” I smiled slyly. “I think I’m okay not knowing that right now.”
“Wow, major departure from the typical calculating, measured, and protective Kit approach.” Veronica gave me a little smile. “I approve of this development.”
“Thanks,” I said, bopping my head back and forth in a celebratory way.
“So, last set of questions: What about the land?” Veronica raised her eyebrows. “How will this impact your negotiations regarding the land if you and Aunt Rita decide to sell? And if you don’t sell, is that going to sour things between you?” Veronica paused and said carefully, “I think you’re drop dead gorgeous and all men would love to be in William’s shoes, so I’m sure he’s attracted to you, but is there any chance he’s doing any of this to manipulate you to sell the land?”
I knew Veronica was just pointing out the elephant in the room, but I wasn’t ready to think about all these hard unknowns. It took so little for me to slip into a dark cloud of overthinking and anxiety, and I just wanted to stay in a headspace where I could enjoy what was finally happening with William. I shifted my weight in the booth. “I hadn’t really thought about it. I don’t think he’d try to manipulate me. I’m the one who initiatedeverything last night.” I cleared my throat. I didn’t want to sound naive, but I really didn’t think William would do something like that to me. I said, “Really, William hasn’t mentioned selling the land in months, but I’m more open to it now than I was last year,” I admitted.
“Whaaat?” Veronica mockingly gasped. “Is it the huge price tag this river front property is destined to go for that has changed your mind, or the amazing sex?”
“Ha, no, it’s actually been hearing the folks in town talk about how the changes William is bringing will help their businesses. I realized that if the old-timers can be excited about change, I should be too. He is doing a lot for the town. He’s helping a group start an entrepreneurship center. It’s really cool.”
