“You quit your job at Louis Vuitton? The job you wished and prayed for, for three years?” He’s lying.
“I did.”
“You’re out of your goddamn mind. Why would you do something so stupid?”
“Because.”
“Because why, Brendan? We only have your income now. Why would you do that?” The nervous patter in my chest that has been torturing me relentlessly for the last eight hours becomes more prominent once again. We’re so screwed. Why today of all days? He better have a good reason.
“Because we’re moving to South Carolina together.” I pause for a moment, replaying his words over and over until they thoroughly sink in.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“You need this, and maybe I need this too. So, we’re going.” His mouth is in a straight line. He’s serious. Brendan does not belong in the South. It gets hot and he doesn’t like to sweat.
“Brenny, what about Kalvin? You said things were finally moving in the right direction with him. I don’t understand.”
Brendan moves forward and drops down on the couch beside me, wrapping his arm around my neck. He smells like Louis Vuitton—the cologne I could drink up. “I was convincing myself we were moving in the right direction, but he’s so busy with his career that I don’t see his focus ever being on a relationship or a family. You know that’s what I want.”
“I know, but you love him.”
“Love sometimes means setting things free, Scarlett.”
“Yeah, I got that out of your letter earlier,” I tell him.
“Well, you’re more than love to me. You’re my best friend and my safe place. If you have to leave, I’m going with you.”
I twist to face him, curling my leg up in front of me onto the couch. “I don’t know if the offer is still available. I walked out, remember?”
“If it’s not, we’ll figure it out. This is our next adventure. I have money saved up. We’ll be okay until we get on our feet down there,” and for the first time all day, a spark of excitement rumbles through me. I’ve been an independent woman most of my adult life, and it’s never bothered me, but the thought of starting over with no one by my side scares me more now than it did during my college years. I’m used to having Brendan by my side, I guess, so if I have him next to me, a change could feel a little less scary.
“Those boxes weren’t all for me, were they?”
“Nope. I started packing too.”
Wow. “This is really happening. I’m scared.”
“I’m scared too,” he says.
“I’m a little excited though,” I tell him.
“Same here. I’m going to find myself a hottie cowboy,” he says.
“Um.” I press my finger against my lip. “Brenny, sweetie, I don’t think there are too many cowboys in South Carolina. I think you’re confusing your Southern states.”
“Fine, then I’ll find myself a Southern belle-man,” he says with laughter.
I huff and laugh along with him as I rest my head against his chest. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Dress like shit. Remember back when you only wore neutral colors?” he asks.
“Now, look at me.” I’m wearing next month’s rent and this season’s color. “You’re such a good influence.”
“I know,” he quips with pride. “So, what’s this town we’re going to?”
“Oh, I don’t know. It’s some place I’ve never heard of, but I’m sure it’s nice. It’s in South Carolina. There are palm trees, beaches, and warm weather. I wrote down the name in my notes on my phone. I’ll grab it in a minute.”
* * *
