Six months in New York, a new adventure. And then seeing the world with the man I loved. I wanted it so bad, I could taste it.
“I won’t take the assignment if you don’t come with me,” David added when I didn’t respond, “but you could if you weren’t tied to Chicago.”
“What about the house?” I asked.
“It won’t be ready forat leasta year, probably longer. But no matter where we go, it will always be our home.”
A year. If I didn’t tell David the truth tonight, couldn’t I have that time with him and deal with the topic of kids when we returned?
I couldn’t. That wasn’t fair to either of us. The fantasy faded before my eyes before it’d fully developed.
“I can’t just end my career to travel,” I said.
“Well, you could,” he said. “I have no problem with that. But I’m not asking you to do that. I know work is important to you. You could write.”
“Like what I did on the plane back from Dallas?” I nearly laughed. “That’s just a hobby, David. I don’t see it going anywhere.”
“Freelance for other magazines, start a blog about our travels, write a book. You’d have options. Plus . . . it would make you more available for the shelter. You could volunteer there regularly when we’re home. And when we’re not, well, Chicago isn’t the only place with needy animals.”
I stared at him, my heart warming at the thought of spending more time at the shelter. Or was it that he’d known how much it meant to me? I wasn’t sure. “You’ve given this a lot of thought.”
“Just consider it. Whatever you decide, I’m behind you a hundred percent.” He kissed my forehead. “I’m going to find Brian to squeeze in another surf. But, Olivia? Don’t walk too far today.”
I glanced at my hands. I couldn’t blame him for being worried I’d stray from us, but with my history, I had no way of reassuring him that wouldn’t happen.
“And be safe,” he added. “You don’t know the area.”
Once he’d left, I squatted to my suitcase to change. I hadn’t brought any sneakers, so I went to find Gretchen. I could always count on her in a fashion pinch.
I found her on a call, pacing her room as she seemed to listen. She motioned for me to come in, rolling her eyes at the phone, so I sat on the edge of the bed to wait.
“Well, you should’ve thought about that before abandoning me again,” she said calmly and paused. “Yes, if you’d stayed and talked to me like a mature adult, wewouldbe having a different conversation . . . how am I supposed to trust you now? Frankly, I think you did both of us a favor because now . . . yes, I saidfavor, because now I see that this isn’t working.”
It had to be Greg. I wasn’t all that surprised he’d called to beg her forgiveness. I gave her a thumbs-up as encouragement, grateful she didn’t need me to point out it was time to move on.
Gretchen looked at me as she listened. “I’m sorry, Greg, but you only have yourself to blame. We’re not in college anymore, and you have to grow up. We can talk more at home, but I have to go now.” She hung up abruptly and flopped next to me on the bed. “Oh my God.”
“That was Greg, right?” I asked. “What the hell is his deal?”
“He’ssosorryfor bringing Jordan. I’m not really mad, am I?” she said, mimicking him. “He hadn’tmeantto call me a bitch—David and Brian had just pushed him too far. He didn’t even realize that I’m more upset he left instead of talking to me.”
“And he’s not even taking accountability for himself,” I said. “I think he’s stuck at the age he was when we last knew him.”
“Totally. On some level I’ll always love him, but this was definitely a wake-up call.” She blew out a sigh. “He’s obviously got commitment issues on top of all that, but I don’t think I even care anymore. Whatever we had is gone.”
I cleared my throat and picked at something on the comforter. “Could, um, Brian also have a little bit to do with your change of heart?”
She laughed. “No . . . I don’t know.”
“You two were still talking when we went to bed.” I poked her arm. “Did you guys . . .?”
“No, of course not,” she cried, her eyes huge. “For one,gross. And for two, his girlfriend is here, remember?”
“Oh my God. I’m awful,” I said, covering my eyes. “I keep forgetting about Kat.”
“I think he does, too,” Gretchen said. “Brian and I were up late last night, and we just . . . talked. A lot. Like, until dawn.”
“Really?” I asked, beaming. “And you still think he’s gross?”
