I know his job is important to him. For years, post Corinne, he admitted he put all of his focus toward the fire department. It wasn’t intentionally so he’d be a standout amongst his brothers at station 12. It was more to keep his mind from wandering back to a darker time. In the time since his breakup, he’d climbed the ranks quickly. The brotherhood of firefighters had not betrayed him as the people he trusted in Magnolia Point had.
Yet, now that he had tried to open his heart to new possibilities, his job requirements were much more suffocating. At least I hope that’s all there is to it.
Our recent phone conversation comes to mind and I let out a pent up exhale, forcing myself to relax. Sure, we didn’t address how we’d manage our chaotic lives with kids and the like, but he said he’d give up being Captain of the fire department and leave this town he loves for me. If that didn’t reassure me that we’d find a way to make a future work nothing would. I need to enjoy the moments we have together when our schedule allows, and trust we’ll grow our family when the time is right. Luckily, my biological clock isn’t ticking as it might be if I was the older party in this May-December romance.
Looking through the pantry I huff in disgust. There’s nothing but cereal and protein bars in here. I already know the freezer and refrigerator will have even less options for dinner. With one of us constantly on the road and the other practically living out of the fire station, we rarely eat at home. I was constantly disposing of expired food, thus trimmed back each shopping list. Yet now it’s starting to look as if no one lives here.
Bzzz. Bzzz.
Grabbing my phone as it dances across the counter, I smile bright as Addison’s name flashes across the screen. “Hey. What are you up to?”
“Not much. Hadn’t heard your voice in so long I wanted to check in. Trevor said you were in Wilmington.”
“I was. Just got back, actually. I was rummaging through the kitchen trying to figure out what to make for dinner.”
A laugh that is so Addison tickles my ear through the phone. “Girl, you should get Jason to make something at the station for you if he’s working. That’s the least he could do if you’re driving all over for your job.”
Biting down on my lip, I consider her words for a moment before discarding the notion. I never want our relationship to turn into a tit-for-tat situation. I travel for work because I can. He doesn’t owe me anything. I chose to move here.
“Well forget about cooking yourself something just to eat all alone. Meet me at Ellie’s Hot Chicken. We’ll grab some dinner then head to Pour Decisions for a drink. You need a night out.”
I adore Addison. Just not certain I want to close out the evening at a bar. “Sure. I may not make it far into the evening before I have to call it a day. Between the long work day and the drive back from Wilmington, I have a feeling you’ll be talking to the back of my eyelids by nightfall.”
“Girl, you’re talking to a woman who lives with a whisk in her hand. I’m at the bakery by 5 a..m. most mornings. My eyelids will beat yours to the finish line.”
I snort. “Got it. We’re made for each other. See you at Ellie’s in thirty.”
* * *
Walking into Ellie’s restaurant honestly feels like coming home. Almost more so than my actual abode, given there I’m always yearning to see my boyfriend who’s always somewhere else. Here, on the other hand, I know I’ll find a friendly face.
“Quinn!” Ellie’s sweet voice floats above the sound of dishes and patrons talking over their food. “Addison said you were coming.” She pulls me into a tight embrace.
“Hi.” I laugh. “You’re hugging me like I didn’t just see you a few mornings ago. Heck, I think I’ve seen you more than Jason in that time.”
All of a sudden, the life feels as if it’s being squeezed out of me as a body collides with mine from behind. “Umph.”
“What took you so long?” Addison snarks.
“You know the traffic in this one-horse town.” I snicker.
“Yeah. I hate it when I get caught at practically the only stoplight in Sycamore Mountain,” Addison adds.
“You two sit. Do you even need menus?”
“No,” we answer in unison.
Pulling out a chair, I plop down beside Addy and take a deep inhale of the southern fried aromas floating in the air. “I’d love the chicken pot pie and a glass of sweet tea.”
“Oh, that sounds good,” Addison blurts. “I was going for the fried chicken, but I want that now.”
“Want a side salad with it?”
“Yes, I’m starving.” I rub my empty belly.
“No, not for me. I had a big salad for lunch. I’m done with rabbit food today.” This woman was literally an elite model until just before I arrived here. I don’t think she has an ounce of body fat on her. I don’t know how she does it working at Honey Bunz. I feel like I gain ten pounds every time I even look through their front window.
The two of us chat about everything and nothing at all until a server returns in no time with our dinner. I swear, moving here has been like finding three sisters I never knew I had. Ellie, Addison, and Tuesday have become such treasured friends.
