Page 60 of Living La Vida Mocha
“Shut up, you are not.”
“Yeah. And the best part is, Amanda, I really am enjoying it. I loved teaching the class. I loved getting my hands involved. My boss, Stanley, he’s this old soul type who tells it like it is, but yet is gentle and kind. Reminds me of Dad a little.” A lot when I really thought about it. “All around, it’s just a great work atmosphere. Probably one of the best jobs I’ve had in the last few years.”
“Who are you and where is my best friend, the one who hates getting her hands dirty and would rather type than talk to people? This whole quarter-life crisis of yours is interesting.”
“I’m still here, just finding myself. Maybe it is a quarter-life crisis, but I’m loving the change and Ridge Heights. The people are awesome. This town is fun, and the ceremony last night, put anything you and I have enjoyed to shame. We went skating and had this amazing new coffee and the best ravioli around the bonfire.”
“Wow. I’m shocked, truth be told. Figured this move of yours was one of your spontaneous acts of grandeur, where you run off to find the next best thing. I have to admit, I’m impressed.”
“Maybe getting fired and dumped was a blessing in disguise as I found this place totally accidentally, and it’s been…”
“What?”
“Never mind. It’ll sound stupid and cliché.”
“Try me.”
I sighed, and even though she couldn’t see my face, I tipped my head down. “It’s like I didn’t know how much I needed this place when I didn’t even know it existed.”
There was nothing from her end of the line.
“Amanda?”
“You sound happy, Cara. Honestly.”
“Really? You’re not just saying that?”
“I know I’ve only known you for a few years, but in all those years, you’ve never sounded so lit up, so full of life. Maybe this town, this Ridge Heights, is the place for you to be, and maybe part of that is Carter.”
My smile grew into a mega-watt grin. “He’s fantastically awesome. You’d like him.”
“So, you’re staying a wee bit longer than you’d planned?”
I held my breath and rolled my bottom lip between my teeth. “Yeah. Actually, I’m looking into buying or renting, or leasing, or a combination of two.”
“Wait, what? Walk me through all of that.”
I explained about the vacant space beside the flower shop, and then added in how I found myself daydreaming about finding the perfect home.
“You want to sell your apartment here?”
“Considering it, yes.” The words rolled out too easily, so there was a lot of truth within. “I am touring a couple of places on Tuesday. Nothing big or fancy, but yeah.”
“Okay, that sounds like the impulsive Cara I know, but even she wouldn’t just list her place and up and move.”
“But I did half of that very thing. You helped me pack.”
“Because I thought you’d spend time with Carter and get the closure I felt you needed about the whole breakup. Her voice pitched, and I no longer heard the enthusiasm and excitement. Instead, it was confusion muddled with hurt and disbelief. “I didn’t honestly think you’d consider moving there permanently and buying a place to turn into a hardware store.”
“Well, I am staying here, and the more I think about opening the shop, the better I feel inside. I’m not nearly as worried about this as I was trying to find another failed marketing position. It’s almost like—”
“Don’t you dare say it’s a sign.”
My shoulders slumped. “You really need to come and see it here. Maybe you’ll change your mind about it all.”
She sighed. “Maybe I should. I’m starting to get concerned.”
“Because you love me? And you want the best for me? Just like I do with, and for, you.”