Nick laughed and his big smile emerged. “Kit, you two are perfect for each other. I knew before I saw the two of you dancing together on New Year’s Eve.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah, I knew when I saw the way you talked to each other during our very first meeting together. You're a consummate professional, always polished, and your feathers are never ruffled, but with William!” Nick hooted. “Boy, the sparks were flying. You told him to shove it where the sun doesn’t shine and stomped out of the office. I just knew it was love.”
I laughed and said, “That’s not exactly how I remember it.”
Melissa walked up to the table and waved a little. “Is it okay if I join you two?”
“I’m so glad to see you,” I said, sitting up in my chair. “I wanted to talk to you.”
Melissa took a seat on Nick’s side of the table. Nick excused himself to say hello to a few business owners who had just sat down for lunch.
“He’s a really good mayor,” I said as I watched Nick wave to Ms. Pearl and Ms. Patty at a nearby booth.
“He’s trying.” Melissa’s forehead crinkled and she said, “Is it true? Are you moving to Atlanta?”
“Word travels fast!” I cried. I sat back in my chair and said, “Yes, I’m going to move to Atlanta, but I’ll be up here visiting Aunt Rita all the time, and I’m going to stay on the library payroll so I can sub for Trent and the new librarians, anytime they need help.”
Melissa sighed and sat back in her chair. “Well, we’re going to miss you here in Creekstone, but I’m happy for you.”
“You are?” I asked.
“Of course!” Melissa cried. “Why wouldn’t I be happy for you?”
I frowned a little and said, “When I told my college best friend, Veronica, she made it seem like I was making a huge mistake. You don’t think I'm moving too fast with William?”
“Are you kidding me?” Melissa threw her head back and laughed. “You and William moved slower than molasses. I swear, I thought you two would never get together. Sounds like Veronica was just being an overprotective best friend.”
“Yeah, maybe.” I chewed the inside of my lip.
“I’ve had a front row seat and watched this whole love story unfold,” Melissa said with a smile. “I know if Veronica had seen the way the two of you look at each other, she’d be singing a totally different tune.”
I let a huff of air out and nodded, trying to believe her.
“Girl. The two of you are clearly in love, and if you don’t mind me saying so, you have been since Christmas,” Melissa said sweetly. “And don’t look so worried. It’s a good thing. Don’t let other people rain on your parade. If you and William are happy, then that’s what matters.”
I took Melissa’s advice to heart. I decided to focus on what I knew to be true between William and me and to block out all the rest. That made the next few weeks feel like a dream. Things were falling into place for me to leave Creekstone. I was spending more time in Atlanta with William. Veronica and I had gotten into a lovely routine of seeing each other a few times a week when I was in Atlanta. I’d started looking at different jobs and even ways I could complete my fellowship in Atlanta. Instead of just being content with what was safe, for the first time in a long time, the possibilities for my future felt endlessly positive and within reach.
When we got the call that our offer on the house in Atlanta’s West End was accepted, William and I were watching television in his apartment in Creekstone. As soon as he hung up the phone, I jumped into his arms and squealed as I hugged him. We collapsed onto the bed hugging, and he pulled me so that we faced each other, laying on our sides. I draped my leg over his hip.
“The house is my dream home,” William said.
“You don’t say?” I joked as if we hadn’t been over this a million times. “What makes it so special for you?”
“I love that it’s in a neighborhood where my dad spent time when he was a young man. I love how the house has been restored. I love that there’s a guest house for when Mom or Aunt Rita comes to visit. I love that it’s close to your best friend. And I love that it’s a family house.”
My eyes grew wide at his last sentence. That was a new detail. “A family house?”
“You know, in case you want to adopt a family of dogs.” William laughed.
I rolled my eyes and pushed William away, but he pulled me back to him. I left my hand resting on his hard, muscular chest, and he said in a whisper, “But it would be a perfect house to start a family someday.”
I went still in his arms. I was quiet for a moment, then I said, “Is that something you’d want someday? A family?”
William nodded and said seriously, “I would very much like that.”
I smiled. “You’d make an excellent father.”
