Cory: I’m glad. Sure thing. Do you need cash?
Fuck, I love him. Only my brother would have my back like this, no questions asked. And I’ll pay him back, of course, when my business starts making some money. Which it will. I know it will. Myles showed me that.
I yank on my jeans and tank, then I’m out the front door and down on the street, holding my phone to my ear as I search for a cab. The call connects and I grin.
“Hi, Claudia. It’s Cat. I need your help.”
* * *
It’samazing how quickly things can happen when you put your mind to it. Claudia knows a lot of people in real estate, and two hours later I’m in an apartment in the East Village, pacing restlessly.
I asked for two bedrooms and she delivered: a fifth floor walk-up that’s dog-friendly, only a few blocks away from the bar. It’s got gorgeous hardwood floors, eggshell-white walls, and big, bright windows in the living room. I don’t know if this is the kind of place Myles had in mind when we talked about this, but I love it. There’s room for all my sewing stuff, for him to have a desk for his web design, and maybe even a spare bed, in case… well, I’m getting ahead of myself, but in case he does reconnect with Amber, she could stay with us sometimes. My heart expands at the thought.
“What do you think?” Claudia leans against the stone countertop. “I love the light in here.”
I nod, imagining Myles’s framed photographs hanging on the walls, a piano opposite the windows, a little bed for Stevie in the corner. “Yeah,” I murmur. “I love it.”
Claudia hands me a clipboard with the application form. “I’ll need to run a credit check and make sure the deposit clears, but if we can get that done in the next few hours, it’s yours.” She smiles warmly. “I think you and Myles will be really happy here.”
My stomach dips as I take the form from her. I can do this—I can sign this lease and hope and pray that Myles will forgive me, will believe I’m all in. And if he doesn’t, well, I can always rent the second bedroom, or—
No. I reach for the pen, determined. This isn’t about backup plans and what-ifs. It’s about trusting in what my heart is telling me—that Myles and I are meant to be together, that he loves me enough to see past the mistakes I made, as I can for him. It’s trusting inus.
I fill in the form and hand it back to Claudia with an anxious smile. Then I reach into my purse and produce an envelope of cash for the deposit. “How soon until I can get the keys?”
“I’ll process this right away, then have a messenger drop the keys over early this evening. Does that work?”
“Yes.” I glance around the apartment again and excitement ripples through me. “Thank you, Claudia. Thank you so much.”
“I’m happy to help. It was lovely to see you the other week. We left it way too long.”
“We did.” I remember how I left the dinner party, ready to tear Mel a new one, and cringe. “I’m sorry if I wasn’t as… civil as I could have been, it’s just Mel—”
“Yes, wasn’t she unpleasant? I won’t be inviting her again anytime soon.” Claudia wrinkles her nose. “Oh and I meant to say, my friend at the boutique is very interested in stocking some of your designs. I’d love to set up a meeting for the two of you.”
My insides tense unexpectedly. I get a flashback to earlier this year, when Mel offered me the same thing, then left me in the lurch. I open my mouth to tell Claudiano thanks, but instead I find myself taking a calming breath, letting it fill my lungs.
Claudia isn’t Mel. And Geoff’s right—I need to let people in. I need to trust again. I’ve been so hurt in the past, but I can choose to let that go. From now on, I’m going to be open and loving and trusting, no matter how much it might scare me.
I smile. “That would be fantastic.”
As I leave the apartment, I feel a weight lift off my shoulders. My whole body is buzzing with the promise of a new beginning, with hope—with love.
And that makes me think of something else I need to do.
I head back across town to the West Village, but instead of turning down our street, I walk the few extra blocks to Between the Lines, the bookstore where Geoff and Alex work. I push into the small shop, relieved to see it’s quiet. As the door closes behind me, Geoff glances up from where he’s arranging a sales table. His green eyes soften and he sets down the books he’s holding.
I stride over and pull him into a hug, squeezing hard. “I’m so sorry, Geoff. I know I’ve been a shitty friend lately. I’m going to do better, I promise.”
“Oh, honey,” he says quietly. Tears prick my eyes as his arms tighten around me.
Alex’s voice drifts out from an aisle. “Geoff? The photocopier is still doing that thing. Did you call—” She cuts herself off when she sees us hugging. “Cat? What’s wrong?”
I reach for her, hugging her tight too. “I’m sorry,” I say again.
“For what?”
“You were right. I’ve been pushing everyone away. Not just Myles—you guys too. But you’re always there for me, always looking out for me. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
