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“Hey,” I said on answering.
“Hey,” she echoed. I could hear her smiling, which forced my own smile wider. “What are you up to?”
“Oh, you know, the usual. I’ve got a big order from a boutique in town that’s due tomorrow. Thank goodness I had the day off from Bettie’s. I can’t seem to find time for everything on my to-do list.”
“I know the feeling. But somehow, you always make it happen.”
“By some miracle. Or the voodoo sacrifice I made. I’ll accept either option, so long as it gets done.”
She laughed. Man, I missed that sound. “How’s Lindenbach?”
“Great,” I deadpanned. “Goody’s is trying to take over our town, our march was tear gassed and people were arrested, and I don’t have enough hands for the many jobs I’m juggling. Otherwise, thriving.” I sank onto a stool with a sigh, putting my phone on speaker so I could keep trimming soaps, fresh knife in hand. “How’s it possible we haven’t talked all summer. I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch.”
“Don’t be. We’ve been underwater here too, and I haven’t been in touch either, so how about we call it even?”
“Deal. What’s new over there?”
“Well, I’d like to say I didn’t call with an agenda, but like I said, we’ve been running ourselves ragged all summer. Jake and I have been talking, and I’d like to make you an offer. Partly because I miss you, and partly because … well, I want you to have everything you dream of.”
My hand paused mid slice. I set the soap and knife down. “I’m sitting down.”
“Good. What would you say if I told you I could help you start your own business?”
“I’d say I don’t take handouts, so this better be good.”
She chuckled. “I know you well enough to know that much. But …” She took a deep breath and unloaded so fast, I wasn’t sure if I caught it all. “Since Jake moved into the big house with me, we’ve got an empty house on the property. And we’ve got the capital now that I can hire some new hands around here. So Jake and I were thinking … what if you came back and made your goodies for the shop, branded for the farm?”
I blinked. She kept talking.
“You and your mom and Cilla could live in Jake’s old house rent free, and we could pay you a salary, provide insurance, all of that. And we were hoping you would help shop for the store, source everything for us. There’s too much to do around here—the shop is the last thing on my list every day. I could really use your help, and this way, you could come home and do what you love. No more waiting tables. No more juggling all the jobs. Just the one thing you want to do.”
She was so excited, she just kept on talking about everything she wanted me to make and punny names she’d come up with for scents. When she casually dropped what my salary would be, I almost fell off my stool.
It truly was my dream realized.
But I didn’t share her excitement.
Not entirely, at least. My mind had already trotted off, imagining that life I’d daydreamed of for so long. But my heart sank. Because it was anchored here.
To him.
He’s leaving.
You don’t know that.
This is your dream.
Dreams change.
I realized too late that Olivia had stopped talking and was waiting for a response, only I didn’t know from what.
“Well, say something!” she said on a laugh.
“You got Jake to agree to that salary and free room and board? How did you convince the dragon to get off his pile of gold for little old me?”
“I don’t know if you know this, but I can get him to do just about anything I want, if I phrase it right. Everybody knows the princess is really the only one who can tame the dragon. And anyway, Jolene and Bowie miss Elvis and Priscilla.”
“She really does play a convincing puppy.”
“It’s uncanny.”
I was quiet for a beat, unsure what to say, other than, “Thank you, Olivia. God, that sounds so dumb for what you’re offering. I … I think you shocked me stupid. I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes. Come home, Presley.”
Home. What a funny word, a word whose meaning had changed since coming here. “Can I have some time?”
“Of course. The offer stands—all you have to do is call.” She paused. “I’m a little surprised though. I thought you’d jump all over it.”
“If you’d asked me before we left, I wouldn’t have hesitated, but things are … complicated here.”
“Good complicated?”
“Sometimes, but right now it’s just sort of a mess. Mom isn’t the only person I need to talk to. Priscilla’s dad is here.”
“Oh my God,” she breathed. “You’re kidding.”
“No. But I’m pretty sure he’s leaving again.”
“You’re together?”
“I don’t know what we are, Livi.”
