“Yeah, but that also means you have a lot of people ready to drop everything and come help you.”
“It’s not like that in New York. Well, some people are kind and helpful, but it’s rare to run into people you know. Most of the time, you’re just a nobody in a sea of strangers.” There’s a sadness to the way she says it, and I feel a slight pang in my chest knowing that she might not have a community of people supporting her in there as she did here. Her response sparks the question, “Are you happy in New York?”
“Are you asking as someone who used to be my friend or as my client?” She turns her head toward me with her left eyebrow arched high and her voice inquisitive.
“We both know I’m more than just a client. At least, I hope so. I may not know you anymore, but I’m not a stranger. I don’t want to be.” Conviction rings out of my tone.
She lets out a deep sigh and chews on her lip. That usually means she’s overthinking.
I reach my hand over and put it on top of hers to get her attention.
Her gaze snaps down to where my hand is laying on hers before her eyes shoot to mine. It takes everything in me to pry it off her. I just want to be close to her, feel her touch again.
“Listen, I know I have done some things in the past that you hate me for. And it’s well deserved, but I would really like to move forward and at least be friends. It’s nice having you back here, and I’d like to make the most of it.”
I’m almost expecting a full-on ass chewing, to be honest, I’d deserve it. But she shocks me instead by simply saying, “Okay.”
I wasn’t quite prepared for the conversation to go this way. I had mentally argued with her in my head for forgiveness and for all the reasons she should be willing to be friendly, so now I’m stumped into an awkward silence.
Smooth, Weston, smooth.
“Okay.” I mirror her response because it’s the only thing I can think of for a few seconds. Now that I have the door to her cracked open, I want to hear more.
“So, tell me about your life in New York. Is it everything you hoped it would be?”
She looks at me and stares for a few seconds. I can visibly see a few of her walls falling by the softening of her face. The relief I feel at getting to do this with her, talk about life, is staggering. I wasn’t sure she’d ever consider letting me in. I just need a crack in the door, just a small piece of her to mine again.
She crinkles a brow before looking up to the ceiling of my truck, letting out a weighted sigh, “Honestly, not really.”
“In a good way or a bad way?”
“I don’t know anymore. I have friends, but we’re all in a race to climb the corporate ladder. I just thought my life would look different by now.”
Part of me wonders if she, too, envisioned me there. My life doesn’t look the way I planned either. I’m not lonely per se, I’ve got the best friends in the world, but everyone is starting to move on and I feel… stuck.
“That’s okay, you’ve still got plenty of time left to paint your life the way you want. You’re Willow, you’re capable of anything,” I assure her.
“Okay, Oprah,” she says sarcastically with her eyebrows high, but her shoulders noticeably relax, and I’ll take it as a win.
“First of all, I take that as a compliment. Second of all, I’m serious. If you’re not happy, find out why, and change it.” I take another turn, now on the road to the ranch. I love this part about being in a small town. Town is close, but if you need a getaway to the woods, it’s right here. Pine trees line the road as we make the faintest incline up to the ranch.
“I have always loved your positivity, but sometimes it doesn’t feel that easy. It’s not always black and white.” She starts picking at her nails again as she looks out the window, as if she’s lost in thought.
At least she’s admitting she still likes things about me. “I never said it would be easy, but you’re in control of your own life. And if you feel like you’re not, take back the reins.”
She looks over, her features visibly softer. The corner of her lips even turns up ever so slightly. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
“I’m always right,” I say with a playful wink, “and could you repeat that again so I can get it on camera. No one ever thinks I’m right and this would be great evidence.”
Her laugh is silent, but it’s there. I see her chest shake in my peripheral vision, and her smile makes a full appearance. It’s been years since I’ve been the one to make her smile, and damn does it feel good.
We pull up to the entrance of the ranch, I drive under the Windy Peaks Ranch sign, and down the bumpy road. The setting sun begins to cast rays through the treetops. It’s almost metaphorical of how I’m feeling. There’s a little peek of light coming through, and her name is Willow Rae.
I pull in front of her cabin and see she’s even cleaned that up nicer. The small porch it has is all dusted and there’s a small planter of flowers.
I put the car in park, and as she unclicks her seatbelt, I fly out of the door, rushing to get to her side, and open the door up. I’m going to make her remember all the reasons she used to love me.
When I open her door, she deadpans at me and rolls her eyes. “You don’t have to do that every time, you know.”
