“But no one else knows. Especially not Mom. We’re waiting to tell family until after the first trimester. But as you can imagine, Charlie has been feeling pretty sick the past few weeks so a road trip out to Key Ridge and a weekend camping isn’t exactly in the cards for us right now.”
“Got it. Totally understand.”
“I know you can’t keep a secret to save your life,” Nathan said. “But try to be discreet about this.”
I pretended to look offended. “I’m always discreet.”
“Yeah, whatever,” Nathan said, smiling down at his wife.
I asked them a few more questions—mainly if they’d name their future offspring Oliver if it was a boy—before we said our goodbyes, and I hung up the phone.
When I set my phone down, I stared at in disbelief. Damn. My older brother was having a baby. He was starting this whole little family of his own. Nathan had always been such a loner I had never expected this from him.
While I felt elated for him, something sank in my gut. Marriage. Children. They had never been high on my priority list. I wasn’t even entirely sure that I wanted them. But as everyone I was close to moved in those directions, I couldn’t help but evaluate my own life and feel like something was missing. I loved going on adventures, seeing new things, and not having the traditional career path, but it was getting lonely.
Frankie’s face flashed across my mind. How good it felt ending most days getting to see her, talk to her, hold her. How she supported my lifestyle even though she didn’t understand it herself. I freaking loved being around her.
Maybe what was missing from my life wasn’t more adventure.
It was someone to share it with.
TWENTY-THREE
Frankie
“Cheersto you nailing yet another interview.” Mattie held up a glass of wine and clinked it against mine.
The red blend was dry and instantly sent a buzz straight to my head.
I’d finally had my next round of interviews with the company in New York. While they had gone well, I had convinced myself that I had managed to mess something up, and I wouldn’t make it to the next step. My anxiety had been for nothing because they had called me this morning inviting me to move on to the next round. The competition was dwindling, but that just meant it was getting all the more competitive.
When I’d told Mattie, she’d insisted on a girls’ night to celebrate. I felt a little pang of guilt knowing that I’d actually called Oliver first and hoped to celebrate with him, but when Mattie had mentioned going out just the two of us, I couldn’t say no. Oliver and I had been spending a lot of time together lately, and I hadn’t seen Mattie as much. If I was leaving Key Ridge soon, that would also mean significantly less time withmy sister. I wanted to enjoy our proximity while I still had the chance.
We’d driven ten minutes to a new speakeasy bar that served overpriced cocktails in a dim setting. It was trendy and definitely had a cool vibe, but after spending so much time at Marie’s, it lacked a certain charm.
“Thanks. It’s still not an offer though, so let’s not jinx it,” I said, placing my glass in front of me.
“Having confidence isn’t jinxing anything,” Mattie insisted.
“Still.” I knocked twice on the wooden table. “I’d rather not take any chances. I still have the case study too,” I pointed out. That was about to be a shitload of work and practice presenting. I was a little irritated they weren’t paying me for my work, but at the same time, in this market, I was a beggar and I couldn’t afford to be a chooser.
Mattie twisted her glass of wine between her fingers and examined me. “You seem excited,” she observed, almost in a surprised tone.
My eyes narrowed. “Why wouldn’t I be?” I questioned.
She shrugged and took a sip. As if I was about to let that little comment slide through the cracks.
“No seriously,” I pressed. “Answer the question. Why wouldn’t I be excited?”
“You seem so happy here,” Mattie said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“Iamhappy. I’ve loved my time here, and spending time with you and Giles?—”
“And Oliver,” she finished, cutting me off.
“Right. And Oliver,” I said, feeling my cheeks burning.
She sipped her wine and set it back down. “You don’t meet guys like him often.”
