The conversation is on speaker throughout the car. It’s Jordan from work. She’s over marketing and is all excited about how she landed another spot on QVC next week for the All-Weather Blanket if Justin wants to take it.
“Jordan, you are amazing. I owe you big time!”
“No problem, boss. I’ll work on ad text tonight and have it ready for you tomorrow.”
“That sounds great. We’ll see you then.” He clicks off the call and turns to me with a never-ending smile. “Can you believe that? Another shot at QVC. I just hope I have enough inventory for all the orders we’ll get.”
“Yeah, that’s awesome. I’m really happy for you.”
He shakes his head as he grips the steering wheel. “I just can’t believe how this company is taking off.”
“It’s no surprise. You’ve put in a lot of hard work.”
“And hard work pays off.” He keeps his focus forward, not saying anything else.
“So anyway.” I decide to jump back into my story about last night because I wasn’t able to finish it when Jordan called. “Bob Irvine spilled gasoline on the snow, and somehow one of the sparks from the bonfire landed where the gas was, and the whole thing lit up, but the fire immediately melted down to the grass, and then…” I pause, glancing at Justin. Nothing about him seems like he’s paying attention to me. “And then my Aunt Carma dipped Bob down and planted a huge kiss on his lips. Miles and Max bumped into the ski tree and knocked the whole thing over. Donna O’Day signed a record deal with Justin Bieber’s agent. And Caleb and I got married and rode off into the sunset.”
Justin finally looks at me. “That sounds great, babe.”
“Yeah, it does.” I flip my body in the other direction, facing my car window. It takes twenty seconds for Justin to even notice.
He rubs my thigh. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
“You’re here. But I still feel like you’re a million worlds away.”
“Sorry, it’s just this new QVC thing has my mind reeling, but I’m here.” He squeezes my leg. “I promise I’m here.”
“Okay.” I let my frustrations go because we get so little time with each other. I don’t want to spend it fighting. “Tomorrow afternoon, Caleb wanted to take us backcountry skiing. Since you need a break anyway, it will be the perfect time to check out a little early on a Friday and get outside.”
“With this upcoming QVC—”
“I know, you’re busy again.”
“Plus, you know I hate the cold.”
“Telluride is a tough place to live if you don’t like cold weather.”
“I know. I’m missing my Arizona winters. I hope I can move back there sooner rather than later.”
My lips press downward. “You’re not planning on staying in Telluride?”
“I hope not. My goal has always been to build my company up big enough that I can move it somewhere warmer or sell it.”
“But warmer weather would be a terrible place to sell blankets.”
Justin laughs. “I’m not selling them there. I’m just talking about factory headquarters.”
“But what about your parents? They live here.”And what about me?
“Relax.” Justin smiles. “I’m not talking about moving anytime soon. Just someday.”
“Someday?”
“That’s right.”
Justin’s someday is giving me a lot of anxiety. I’ve pinned my hopes and dreams on marrying a man that doesn’t want to stay in Telluride by my family. The realization feels devastating.
We ease into silence the rest of the way to Vivian’s apartment, and I think about Caleb even though I said I wouldn’t.
