“We’re not leaving.”
“Well, I’m not going in,” I say, knowing I sound childish but beyond caring as I cross my arms on my chest. Instead of looking entertained, his face shifts, looking concerned.
“June, baby, what’s going on?” His hand reaches for mine, twining out fingers and pulling me a bit toward him. The charms on my bracelet make a pretty sound, and it eases something in my chest just enough to speak.
“I can’t do it!” I say, shaking my head. “I can’t go in there. I’m going to make a fool of myself. I’m unqualified. I have no idea what I’m doing, and I’m going to just…ask them to give me thousands of dollars? What was I thinking?”
“You were thinking that you’re the only one who loves this place enough to create a mural to adequately represent Seaside Point. You were thinking you’re talented and an amazing artist and that by being the one chosen to do this mural, you’ll be continuing your grandmother’s legacy in a way you can feel proud of.”
A lump grows in my throat with his soft, steady words.
“Well, past me was an idiot, and current me is a realist who wants to go home.”
He lets out a small laugh, shaking his head. “What happened to the June I fell for, the one with boundless confidence?”
My chest lightens just a bit with his words, but it’s swallowed when another wave of reality comes crushing in.
“She was delusional! She thought she could manifest her way into the life of her dreams! She thought she was lucky, but it was really just you!”
His face goes serious then, and he lets go of my hand before undoing my seatbelt, then using his strong grip to turn me in my seat toward him. Then he grabs my face, pulling me close and pressing his forehead to mine.
“No. You don’t get it. Or you do, but you’re too nervous right now to admit it. You were right. You are lucky. You’re lucky because we make our own luck, June. You want to live a life that makes you feel happy and fulfilled every single moment, and you made it happen. You helped me realize that, helped me find my own luck, my own happiness. Now it’s your turn.” My throat tightens with his words, and I sniff.
“You can’t make me emotional when I’m already mid-freakout, Graham. It’s poor boyfriend behavior.”
He smiles then, leaning in and pressing my lips to his.
“Sorry, I told you; I’m new at this. How am I doing on the pep-talk side of things?”
The joking and banter ease my nerves in a way I don’t think anything else could, and I realize that’s the true stroke of luck: having Graham when I need him most, and more importantly, him knowing exactlywhatI need.
“Pretty good,” I grumble.
“You sound disappointed in that,” he says with a laugh, and I can’t help but return it, even if it’s weak.
I take in a deep breath, knowing the truth in his words because he’s right: Iamlucky. Finding Graham was lucky. Finding someone who would do absolutely anything to make my every whim a reality was beyond lucky. Getting laid off was lucky, and winning that scratch-off was lucky. Walking into Daytrip that day was lucky, even if getting the job was all Graham. Being talented isn’t lucky; it’s genetics and innate skill, something I’m still trying to remind myself of daily, but having friends who pushed me to take a scary leap? Lucky as can be.
There are a million different lucky moments that led me to this one, and with that reminder, I nod, take in a deep breath, and smile at Graham.
“I am, mostly because it means you’re right. I’ve gotta do this, and I’m going to kick ass when I do. Now let’s go before I lose my nerve.”
He grins but doesn’t say anything. Instead, he leans in to kiss me, whispers,stay there, then walks around the car to help me out before we walk hand in hand into City Hall.
That confidence lasts for another thirty minutes, until about ten minutes into the meeting, when I need to step out for some fresh air and calm my rising nerves.
“I’ll be right back,” I murmur, then start to stand from where we’re sitting along the side of the room. Graham looks to me, a bit confused, but I give him as confident a smile as I can muster. “Bathroom.” He isn’t buying it, but nods all the same, squeezing my hand. Claire catches my eye as I step away and mouths a question, asking if I want her to come, but I shake my head.
I just need air, space, and a bit of alone time to panic.
But this is Seaside Point, so I should have known I wouldn’t get it.
“Hey, June bug,” a familiar voice says as I pace the hall outside the city council meeting.
“Oh, hey,” I say with a sigh as the door closes behind my brother. “I was just… getting some air. I can only listen to them arguing about things for so long.” Grant doesn’t buy it, but nods just the same, walking over to me with his hands in his pockets.
“How do you feel?”
“Like I’m gonna barf,” I say, and Grant laughs, shaking his head.
