I don’t want to be shackled to someone I’ll be pulling along, or wishing I’d never married in the first place. Sometimes I need that outside perspective to shine a light on what I couldn’t see before.
I feel like Victoria checks those boxes, which is probably why I’ve been avoiding calls from my father. That isn’t the future I want for myself.
We work together for the next three hours, and by the end, my hands are blistered from cutting so much. I’m tired, but it’s the good kind of tired. Satisfied, and like my time was well spent.
“Thank you,” Marco says with a note of humility in his voice. “I don’t know if I would’ve been able to do this without you and the bossy lady.”
I laugh and slap him on the back. “We’re happy to help.”
Marco raises an eyebrow and says, “Is she yours?”
“I wish, Marco. If only I could be so lucky.” I pause, only then realizing what I said. “It would be good if you keep that between us though.”
Marco frowns. “That’s not the best way to fulfill a dream, but I’ll respect your wishes.”
I hang up the apron and walk over to the sink to wash my hands. The warm water eases the blisters somewhat.
Marco says, “Since you helped for so long, take some dinner. Grab some for the bossy lady as well.”
I wiping my hands off on a towel. Marco packs two bags and hands them to me.
“It smells so good. I worked up an appetite.”
Avery comes in and sighs as she hangs up her apron. She walks over to me with a conspiratorial look on her face. “Does Marco want us to help with the cleanup?” She looks nervous about it.
I laugh. “No, he just said we could take some food. Would you rather have the chicken parmesan or the shrimp scampi?”
She smiles. “They both sound delicious.”
“How about we share? I can’t decide which one I want.”
“That sounds great. It’s not often I find people who are willing to split with me. I want to try it all, but don’t always want to finish it.”
“Is there a place along the beach we can eat it?”
Avery makes face like she just tasted something bitter. “I love the beach, but I’m not a huge fan of sand in my food.”
I laugh, surprised at her reasoning, but I can understand it. The wind blows quite often here, kicking up the sand along the beach.
“Okay, how about we try out my new table?”
“Are you sure? Didn’t you say you weren’t impressed with the furniture?”
“Yeah, but there’s something about seeing it go from Sheetrock to an actual apartment that makes me want to celebrate.”
“I can understand that,” Avery says. “Let me make sure I know where Lila is, and that sounds great.”
“I’ll carry the bags of food while you do that.”
We start walking down the road, and while we don’t look like we’re completely put together with flour and other bits of food attached to us, I’m excited for a time out with Avery.Maybe it’s Marco’s words pushing me to test it out, or just the thought of a relaxing evening with enjoyable company.
I’ve been to a lot of fancy dinners, and yet, this is way more exciting than any of those ever were.
That’s the kind of life Victoria expects, being seen among people and being talked about. I just want to work and live a quiet life. Like this. I could live and die here and do all of it happily.
The realization throws me.
“Lila is having friends at our apartment, so it’s probably better if we’re across the hallway.” Avery puts her phone away, then turns to look at me. “Are you feeling better today?”
