The driver stepped out of the car and pulled open the back door, and we both stepped out onto the street as the sound of horns blasting made me jump the slightest bit. He pulled my luggage from the trunk as I tipped my head back to take in the gorgeous building, and we both thanked him for the ride as we walked toward the entrance.
Johnny used a key before pulling the exterior door to the building open. It looked like a hotel in here, with people bustling around, and the lobby was absolutely stunning.
“All of the keys are color-coded. This blue key is for your exterior door. You can buzz people up from inside,” he said as we wheeled my two suitcases onto the elevator.
He pushed open the door to my apartment, and I couldn’t help but gasp once I stepped inside. It was small but quite possibly the most charming apartment on the planet. The photos hadn’t done it justice. The place had a stone fireplace, and French doors that opened to the street. It was decorated like a French flat, and I knew I’d be comfortable here. The furnishings were gorgeous and completely my style.
“You’ve got thirty minutes to freshen up, darling,” he said. “The team is meeting us at the restaurant downstairs for a drink and dinner to welcome you here on your first night.”
I wanted to fall in a heap on the floor, but I nodded. It was time to rally. This was what I’d come here for. “Sounds great. Thank you so much. The restaurant is right downstairs?”
“Yes. It’s in the entrance of the building. We’ll get a nibble and a cocktail, and then I’ll give you a tour. There’s a gym and a coffee shop and the restaurant as well.” He kissed my cheek. “Welcome home, darling. See you soon.”
I opened my luggage, noting the four boxes stacked in the corner that I’d shipped here ahead of time. I grabbed some dark jeans and a black sweater and my boots and quickly changed.
I thought about the last words Cutler had said to me.
I’m proud of you. Go chase your dreams, baby.
It was time to pull up my big girl pants and do what I’d come here to do.
thirty-one
. . .
Cutler
Gracie had lefttwo weeks ago. We talked daily just like we always had, but most days we were rushed. It was tough with the three-hour time difference and both of us being buried at work.
I was struggling with how much I missed her.
I couldn’t say that to her. I knew she was overwhelmed the day we’d said goodbye, and I was trying to put on a brave face. We could do this.
But it sucked already.
My house was quiet. I’d never minded alone time before, but everything was different now.
I was grateful that I had Meatball, because the dude never left my side.
But I still hated this house without her in it.
When Gracie was here, there’d been constant music playing and she was always dancing.
Always laughing.
We played board games, we cooked, we’d jump in the lake and end up in the shower at the end of the day.
Fuck.
I fucking missed her.
I rubbed a hand over my chest, desperate to make the ache go away.
Hence the reason I’d come home and gotten shitfaced on whiskey.
I sat on my couch, the room dark and quiet, only the sound of Meatball’s snoring filling the space around me.
I tipped my head back and downed the amber liquid, relishing the way it burned going down.
