‘Yeah, well, I can’t be picky. There’s only so many single girls in this town and Brianna has no plans to leave.’
‘Dude, she is not the right girl for you. She’s out partying every night and she can’t keep a job.’
‘I didn’t ask for your opinion about Brianna. We were talking about Mia, the girl from the wedding, but you’re not helping so just forget it.’
‘I think you should meet her for dinner,’ I say. ‘What’s the harm? It’s just dinner. Maybe she just wants to talk and see how you’re doing. Maybe it’s more of a friend thing.’
‘Yeah, I guess that’s possible. I did like talking to her. She’s smart, funny, and we’re both teachers, so we bonded over that.’
‘What kind of teacher?’ I ask.
‘High school English. But she’s done teaching. She’s going to grad school to be a school counselor.’
‘I agree with Kate,’ Brody says. ‘Tell her you’ll go to dinner with her.’
‘Yeah, I guess you’re right. It’s just dinner. And I would like to see her again. I’ll call her and set up a time.’ He walks to the door. ‘See you guys later.’
‘I wonder what that’s about,’ Brody says when Jason’s gone. ‘He went to that wedding months ago. Why is this girl calling him now? Why’d she wait so long?’
‘Maybe she can’t stop thinking about him and wants to see if he feels the same way.’
‘Yeah, but why? They’re not going to date. They don’t even live in the same town.’
‘We didn’t live in the same town and look what happened.’ I hook my arms around his neck and smile at him. ‘We’re in love and living together.’
‘Yeah, but it sounds like this girl’s moving back to Boston soon. Jason’s not going to move. Well, he could, but he won’t. He loves his job and loves living here.’
‘Then maybe they’ll just have dinner and that’ll be it.’
‘I’m surprised he hasn’t found someone by now. I thought for sure he’d settle down before I did. He’s been ready to get married for years, but he can’t find anyone.’
‘Maybe he should go out in snowstorms and look for girls stuck in ditches,’ I kid.
Brody laughs. ‘I can’t believe that happened to you twice and that I found you both times.’
‘Guess it was meant to be.’ I kiss him.
‘Okay, you two,’ Nash says, coming into the store. ‘You can do that when you get home. We have work to do.’
‘Where’s Callie?’
‘She’s across the street at Sawyer’s place. Gina’s there and she wanted to see the baby.’
‘Let’s go in the back,’ Brody says to Nash. ‘I’ll show you the lights.’
The lights I picked out are black metal domes lights with a glossy white interior. They fit the modern farmhouse look I’m creating for the store. I could’ve gone with more of a glamorous look with white tile floors, shiny gold shelving, and sparkly chandeliers,but something like that didn’t feel right in this town. And it doesn’t fit the new, more relaxed me. So I went with a comfy farmhouse look. The shelving I picked out is planks of reclaimed wood held up by black iron brackets. The original wood floors have some stains and nicks, even after refinishing them, but I like it that way. It’s a reminder of how old the building is and it adds to that lived-in, laid-back look I’m going for. I didn’t want this place to look perfect. That was the old Kate. The new Kate wants to be comfortable and relaxed, and not so perfect.
Looking around the store, I’m so proud of how it turned out, and proud of myself for doing this. If I’d done what everyone wanted me to do and married Cam, I’d be living with a man I didn’t love, working at a job I didn’t like, and feeling miserable. It just took one decision, one bold move, to change everything.
I almost didn’t do it, but I’m so happy I did. Leaving my wedding was the best decision I ever made. It led to the life I always dreamed of, and to Brody, the guy I love and can’t wait to marry someday. And when that day comes, when I’m standing at the altar about to say my vows, I can say with certainty that I won’t run away. I have no doubts this time. I know Brody’s the guy for me. He may be messy, disorganized, and a terrible decorator, but to me he’s perfect. The perfect guy for me.
