Lauren gives a shy smirk before turning to her truck, getting in, and speeding off out of the parking lot.
“That girl is always in a hurry,” Callie notes, a hint of affection in her voice. She turns back to me, and her smile falters. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I just don’t get how you went from not liking her to treating her like she’s actually your friend.”
My words wipe the smile off her face. She chews on her lower lip before finally admitting, “I used to date her brother, Charlie. We started dating junior year of high school. He went to college in L.A., and I stayed in Texas for school. We did long distance for a whole year, and I thought the plan was for him to get his adventures outside of this little town and then come back, but after a year there, he decided he actually wanted nothing to do with this town… or me. It sucked, and I wanted someone else to blame. Lauren always seemed perfect. She had the perfect grades, the perfect boyfriend. She had it all, and she just swooped right in to clean up his mess when he left, so she was an easy person to blame. I never wanted to believe that it was just that he left because I wasn’t enough. Because then my parents left me too, and it was all just too much. I realize now it was dumb, but that’s why I didn’t like her before.”
“Aww, Callie!” I pull her in for a hug. “He doesn’t know what he’s missing. Your parents too. You’re absolutely enough.”
“Thank you.” She gives me a soft smile as she returns my hug. “I hope you know you’re doing okay. I know it’s scary to let people in and accept change, but you’re finding your way. You’ve got an incredible man who adores you, a loving family that has welcomed you here with open arms, and the best friends a girl could ask for.” She winks. “The rest will come, but you’ve built all of this on your own. You know what you’re doing. Don’t let yourself overthink things.”
A swell of pride rises in my chest. I’m doing pretty well. Three months ago, I never in my wildest dreams could’ve pictured this is what my life would look like, that I’d feel so happy and loved here in Roots, that I’d grow to tolerate the humidity and appreciate the flat plains of Texas, but here I am. I guess we all surprise ourselves sometimes.
When I get in my car, I pull out my phone and find an email notification. It’s from Morgan. I swallow my nerves and open it up.
ChapterFifty-Three
Rhett
I sitoutside some trendy restaurant near Fort Worth, eagerly waiting for Olivia to finish her lunch with Morgan. If it were up to me, I’d be sitting right next to her, holding her hand through the whole thing, but I know she’s an adult and can handle things herself. I have to let her spread her wings on her own. So instead of sitting by her side through this, I sit in my truck with Maverick, the air conditioning cranked to full blast, strumming on my guitar as I create my third song since I started writing again.
But it’s damn near impossible to focus when I know how nervous she was beforehand. She talked through things with her friends and her therapist, and she’s doing a much better job of unapologetically believing in herself and her bright future, but I know she still had that small amount of doubt in the back of her mind. I hate just sitting here, unable to know what’s going on, unable to make sure she’s being protected. Meanwhile, I still have immense hope and more than enough faith in Olivia to believe she’s going to come out of this meeting with great news.
I play the first couple chords of the song again. It sounds good, really good, possibly the best I’ve come up with so far. I’m so excited about this one, and yet I can’t bring myself to get out of my head enough to keep going.
Maverick starts whimpering in the back seat, and I turn to soothe him, but I can tell he doesn’t want attention from me. His eyes are laser-focused on Olivia walking out of the restaurant. I watch her smile and give Morgan a handshake before they split off in opposite directions.
The second Morgan’s back is turned to me, I shoot out of the truck. I rush to Olivia’s side, swooping her off her feet and into my arms. As I carefully assess her face, desperate to gauge how things went, I finally ask, “How’d it go?”
She looks somber for a brief moment, but it lasts for all of two seconds before her face splits into a grin. She tries to bite back her smile, but it’s no use.
“Don’t you dare try playing tricks on me. I can already tell you’re trying to hide a smile. It went well then?”
“It was great. She offered me a job on the spot. I still need to see the official offer, but it sounds like the pay should be good, and they’ll have benefits like health insurance and a retirement plan. She wants me to bring in some of my own clients, so I can create a portfolio of causes thatIactually care about.” She’s absolutely glowing. “I can keep helping Carol out with the rescue in a volunteer and marketing capacity,andI get to helpmorenon-profits.”
“That’s amazing! I’m sohappy for you. When do you start?”
“I told her I’d get back to her by tomorrow.”
The smile I was wearing a second ago is wiped off my face. “What do you mean? I thought this was all good news? What do you have to consider? If it’s about tying up loose ends in San Francisco, you already know your parents, Callie, Lauren, and I have all volunteered to come help you move. So, what’s wrong?”
She grabs onto my hand, stroking her thumb across my skin gently. “Nothing is wrong. I wanted to talk through things with you since you’re a part of my future, and I want to make sure I’m not just leaping into this because I want to stay in Roots or be out of my old job. You and Morgan were right.Iget to decide who I am and who I want to be, so I just want to make sure I’m not leaping into the job because they’re the first firm to give me a chance. I know my worth, and I’m going to make sure this is the right fit. If it’s not, then I’m ready to quit my job in San Francisco and keep lookingherein Roots.” She places a kiss on my cheek. “Don’t worry. There’s no place I’d rather be than here with you. I’m not going anywhere.”
My shoulders slowly release. “Thank God!” I can’t help but laugh, feeling a little silly. “I think that sounds very rational. Look how far you’ve come.”
I open Olivia’s door for her but pull her to me so that we’re chest to chest. I look her in the eyes and say, “I am so damn proud of you for taking charge of your life, for deciding you weren’t living the life you wanted, and recognizing you have the power to change that. And I hope you already know this, but I’m going to say it anyway, I’m here for you. I’ll help you move out of your apartment. I’ll talk through pros and cons of taking the job with Morgan. I’ll be by your side when you put in your notice. Whatever you need, I’m here for you. I love you, Wildflower.”
“I love you too, Rhett.”
“I told you this town makes people want to stay.” I smirk.
“You were right. I hate it when you’re right.” She presses a kiss to my cheek as a dopey smile lands on her face.
Epilogue
One Year Later
Olivia
