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“But?” she asked. “I can sense the hesitation in your voice. What are you worried about?”
I sighed. “I’m just wondering what happens when he leaves again? He can’t stay one of our art directors forever. It’s not his permanent job. And as much as I would like it to be, he’s too talented for it. Taking beautiful pictures of models and sights is what he does best. I can’t take that away from him.”
She nodded, seeming to understand what I was saying. I continued on “I’ve thought about telling him that he could so easily be the art director, and then if he needed to or had to do some shoots on the side, he could. But I know that wouldn’t make him happy. He’d feel like a caged bird just the way he did before he got his start in London. He has big dreams, and I want to see him reach them.”
“Have you asked him lately what his dreams are?”
“No, we don’t always talk a lot when we’re together.”
Ally snickered. “Yeah, I can see that. Well, maybe you should try asking him. See what he says. Maybe since he’s back with you, his dreams have changed.” Ally paused to take a few bites. “I would just like to say that I totally called this. I knew this was going to happen—the two of you back together. Even before you had sex in the office, I knew he would eventually get you back. There was too much heat between the two of you. He still looks at you like you are the most interesting thing in the room. And your eyes are never content until they land on him. Trust me, this is something that’s going to withstand the test of time and distance.”
I nodded. “I certainly hope so.”
We ate in silence for a while before Ally dared bring up the morning show interview.
“I’m so scared about it,” I confided in her.
“Do you really think after all this time he’d come back for you?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. He threatened to. And he was always one to follow through on his threats.”
“Catherine says you only have to do this for a little while, and then you can fade into the background. The companies we’re trying to develop business relationships with just need to see the woman behind it. You’re a natural, and you’re amazing at it. Trust in Catherine, trust in the process, and all will be just fine.”
I nodded. “I’m trying.”
Ally pulled me into a side hug. “You’ve got this, girl. You can do this. I know you can.”
“Your faith in me is something I wish I had.”
“You’ll get there. I know you will. But until then, I’m ‘Team Mia.’ I will pump you up when you can’t.”
We both laughed. “We should be heading back,” I told her in a sullen tone.
“Not ready to head back yet?”
“Not quite. It’s so beautiful and peaceful here. It’s been forever since we were able to get out of the office. I’ve missed it.”
“Me too,” Ally said in agreement. “Tell you what, let’s make it a standing lunch date. Once a week, you and I head out to do this.”
“It’s a deal.” I beamed at my best friend, so incredibly happy I had her. “You know, just because he’s back with me doesn’t mean I’ll need you or see you any less.”
“Oh, I know. Don’t worry, I wouldn’t let you shake me, even if you tried.”
We exchanged a quick hug before getting up from the bench to dispose of our trash.
“Let’s get back to work. My boss is a real hard-ass,” Ally teased.
“Funny, very funny,” I replied, bumping her shoulder as we headed back.
My eyes studied the people as we moved through the crowd. Most of them were staring at their smartphones, typing away, while others had their heads pointed forward, not giving anyone else a second glance. A man behind me bumped into me and sent me forward. Thankfully, Ally was there and grabbed my arm to help me steady myself.
“So sorry, ma’am,” the man who had pushed me said as he ducked into a coffee shop. I looked over to say something, but my eyes locked on a pair of familiar, cold gray eyes.
Chad.
I gulped and stopped moving. He was standing right in front of the coffee shop, watching me and Ally.
“Babe, we gotta keep moving here,” Ally said. “If not, we’re going to get run over.”
