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“I’ll put chains on the car tires,” he tells us both, reminding Zoe she has plenty of time when she looks panicked.
“You two just… Do what girlfriends do, I’ll let you know when we can go,” he says with his usual air of authority.
It’s weird. The thing I was worried about the most, upsetting Zoe has turned out to be the icebreaker we all needed.
Her dad’s more than happy for her to follow her dreams now, and mostly because we can all see and think clearer.
No more secrets. No more surprise—
“What about your birthday?” I suddenly cry, realizing that it’s coming up in a few days.
Zoe’s already considered that I can tell and she bears the prospect with dignity, like a true royal or megastar, making the ultimate sacrifice for her fans. Her loyal public.
Meaning me and her dad.
“I’ll manage,” she sighs, tightening her lips and shooting me a look that warns me I’d better have something special planned regardless.
“I’ll call you like twenty times a day,” I promise, wondering suddenly myself just how I’m going to afford to do anything special for her?
“Just be here,” she says gently, pressing her hand on my arm.
I know what she means.
“I’m always here for you, Zo,” I tell her, both of us misting up again and hugging as her dad walks past the door, chains clanking in his hands.
He pauses in the doorway, about to say something, but thinks better of it.
On the way to the airport, I can feel Zoe’s excitement, her dad’s remaining apprehension, and my relief.
I feel like a totally different person, physically, mentally, and emotionally from yesterday.
Everything’s the same, but so different at the same time.
The man of my dreams at the wheel, my best friend by my side about to head off onto her own adventure.
And…
I run a hand over my belly. Feeling something else too. Something magical.
I watch Michael’s eyes meet mine in the rearview mirror, a light in them I haven’t seen before either.
Like he knows too.
Whether he actually knows or it’s just his own belief, it doesn’t matter right now.
Life’s never been so good and I still have no idea what I’m doing or what’s gonna happen next. But for the first time in my life, I feel like I could take on anything right now.
“How long are you away for?” Michael asks Zoe, not minding when she shrugs.
“I’ll know more the day after tomorrow after the auditions are finished,” she tells us both. A question forming in her eyes.
“I only ask because…” he starts to say. “Well. It’s part of your birthday surprise, I guess. But no harm in telling you now,” he adds.
Zoe gasps with excitement, gripping my forearm, ready for something special.
Something to be happy about after the emotional roller coaster we all just stepped off.
“You can have the house to yourself. For a whole year,” he says matter of fact. “I won’t nag you right now about gap years or anything like that, but you’ll have a place of your own for at least a year until you find your feet,” he says, looking casually back to the road as if it’s no big deal.
Zoe looks stunned. Excited, but stunned.
When Michael Grayson says it’s yours, he means it. I know he’ll pay rent, bills, and food. Everything she needs until she finds what it is she really wants.
“And you?” Zoe asks. “Where are you gonna stay? Back in Florida, I suppose?”
The question hits me hardest, I think. I hadn’t even thought of where Michael and I would be after tonight, let alone next year.
I’m supposed to be flying home, west.
Michael’s hometown has always been east, in Florida. I’m sure they still have a place there too they rent out.
He notices my apprehension in the mirror as the street lights dance across his face.
But he doesn’t look worried at all and only shrugs.
“We’ve got time to sort all that out,” is all he says smiling to himself.
Even though we all agreed to have no more secrets, I get the feeling that he’s keeping just a couple of little ones up his sleeve.
And not only for my benefit but Zoe’s as well.
“It’s okay, daddy,” Zoe chimes in, puckering her lips and studying her face up close in a compact mirror as she fixes her makeup.
“I won’t throw you out until you’ve found a place… But please. Nothing gross with my best friend when I’m around, okay?” she asks earnestly.
I make a face, but Michael uses his index finger and draws a giant ‘X’ over his chest.
“Cross my heart,” he promises, shooting me a wink when Zoe’s not looking.
I don’t think I could… I mean. I don’t think I’d want to...
Well, let’s just say that I don’t have any plans to make whoopee with her dad while she’s within earshot.
That would be weird. And I know Michael agrees, but the look in his eyes is strange.
