“I like to think I make myself happy, but yes, being with him has made me happier.”
“That’s a good perspective, being responsible for your own happiness.”
I nod, with no idea as to where this is going when she suddenly says, “I want to marry Nori.”
“Wow! I wasn’t expecting that. You sure go big.”
“With me, there’s no middle ground. It’s big or nothing.”
“That seems to work for you.”
“In business, yes. But I don’t want to scare her off by coming on too strong.”
“How does she feel about you?”
“She says she loves me.”
“Well then, what’s the problem?”
“We’ve only been together for four months.”
“My brother proposed in less than seven weeks, and they’re still happily together after three years.”
She smiles, seeming pleased about that. “Do the employees suspect?”
“Yes. You’re both professional, but we picked up on the vibe. Nori’s wonderful, by the way.”
“She is. She mellows me…makes me slow down a bit. I’m rarely afraid of anything, but I’m afraid she might say no.”
“Sure, putting yourself out there is a gamble, but from all I’ve seen, you don’t shy away from risk or going after what you want. Nori loves you, so your odds of hearing a yes sound pretty good to me.”
“Thank you, Jordyn. This was probably uncomfortable, and I apologize for that. But there aren’t many people that I trust.”
“I appreciate having your confidence, Athena.”
And it doesn’t hurt that this private chat has Talon stewing. If I were still my eight-year-old self, I would stick out my tongue the way I used to when I received the awesome privilege of extra TV time while my brother was grounded. Instead, I meet his narrowed gaze with a pert look. It doesn’t feel nearly as good, but it’s called adulting—a skill Talon sorely lacks.
* * *
“Hey, Ma.” I switch my phone to speaker, freeing up my hands to toss a couple of pairs of shorts and tops into a backpack. “How are you?”
“I’m always better when I hear your voice.”
“Like you don’t talk to me almost every day.”
“It’s still nice when you call.”
“You won’t believe the strange thing that happened at work.” I tell her about Athena. “It’s great that she trusts me, but talk about being blown away.”
“Sounds like you gave her great advice.”
“What, to take a chance with her heart?”
“Yes.”
“Hope that doesn’t come back to bite me if Nori says no. But I told her what I believe. If you feel it, own it.”
“Agreed. Look at your brother. He knew Mara was the one the moment they met and proposed two months later.”
