Page 112 of Meant to be Mine

Drew’s hand squeezed my thigh under the table. He was handling this transition with way more grace than I would have. Giving up the store, restructuring his entire career path, all while sitting here having casual conversations about it with his family. I had yet to put in my notice and I was already freaking out.

The conversation drifted again, this time toward the event itself. People were complimentary about how smoothly everything had run.

“The credit goes to Kensey too,” Drew said, gesturing at me with his beer bottle. “She made sure no detail was missed. She gave up her summer to help us.”

“Is that right?” Mandy looked at me with renewed interest. “You have event planning experience? Because I’m a wedding planner.”

“Oh, I don’t really have any experience,” I admitted. “I’m just good at organizing things. Comes with the teaching territory.”

“She’s being modest,” Drew cut in. “She was incredible.”

I felt my face grow even hotter. “I just helped where I could.”

Hollis, who’d been scrolling through his phone, suddenly looked up. “Drew, speaking of investments. You should look at B. Well. I’m serious.”

Drew raised an eyebrow. “Your company?”

Hollis set his phone down. “I know it sounds like I’m pitching you at a family dinner, but I’m not kidding. This is going to be huge.”

“I’d need to see the business plan,” Drew said. “Projections, market analysis, all of it.”

“I can get you everything.” Hollis looked more serious than I’d seen him all day. “I’ve put a lot of work into this. It’s not just some vanity project.”

“Alright,” Drew agreed. “Set up a meeting. We’ll talk about it properly.”

Hollis grinned and raised his bottle again. “Thanks.”

We stayed a couple more hours before we could leave without looking like we were ditching our responsibilities. My parents had left hours ago. I was a little jealous. My feet hurt once again and I was so ready to just sit and let the day wash over me.

“Ready?” Drew asked.

“So ready.”

We held hands and walked to where his car was parked. I was going to have to sell my car back home. Buy a new one. No way was I paying to have it shipped to LA. There was so much to do but I didn’t want to think about any of it.

“Now that you’re moving back, are you still going to live with your parents?” Drew asked.

“I’ll find my own place once I get a job,” I answered.

“Have you ever thought about teaching where we went to school?”

I laughed. “That would be great, but those jobs are extremely competitive.”

“They’d be dumb to not hire you. And if all else fails, I’ll donate a bunch of money and name a building after you. Then they have to hire you.”

“How about I try it the old-fashioned way first? I’m not sure I want to teach the kids of the parents who used to bully me, you know? I think I might like one of the city schools. They always need good teachers.”

“True,” he agreed.

“I don’t know. I have to see what’s out there.”

“You know you don’t have to stay with your parents. I have a giant house and my bed already smells like you. You’re welcome to stay with me as long as you want.”

“Maybe we start with a drawer. Part of your closet. I don’t think we should rush this.”

“Kensey, I don’t think it’s rushing. Not in our case.”

“Soon,” I said. “But I’d love to spend the night tonight.”