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I want to respect their friendship, but I also want to know. I remain quiet and let her decide.
“He’s been going back to therapy. For over a month now.”
“What? He has?” I know he used to go when he first moved to California. He wanted to work past whatever relationship blocks he had in his head from his parents.
“Yeah. It’s important to him that he doesn't end up like either of his parents. Which I understand. I know he failed at that for a moment, but he recognizes it. He’s really trying. That alone makes him different from them.”
“Wow. I’m proud of him for that. I mean, I’ve never thought he was anything like his parents, but still. Why hasn’t he told me?”
“He’s worried you’d think he was going so you’d take him back. He didn’t want it to be the determining factor because he would have done it either way. Of course he wants to show you how serious he is about your relationship, but he’s serious about who he wants to be too, regardless of what happens between you two.”
I slide down into my seat, guilt overwhelming me. “He’s been putting in effort this whole time, and I’m just over here sleeping with Troy. Ugh. I feel terrible.”
“It’s okay, Maci. You didn’t know. It’s not like you’re trying to date Troy anyway. It was just sex.” There’s not even a hint of judgment in her voice. “But you know now. All you can do is decide if that information changes anything for you.”
“Thank you for telling me. I know you’re in a hard position.”
She flashes me half a smile.
“So, tell me about your night with Nolan!”
CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE
It’sbeenaweeksince Lexy and I went on our Vegas adventure. I had such a good time ignoring reality and living in the moment. Troy ended up being the perfect escape. It was a little crazy we slept together–multiple times–but it was a good distraction for a while. Now that I’m back, I’m also back to feeling lost and empty. I have to figure out what my next move is because I can’t live on Lexy’s couch forever, no matter how comfortable it is.
When my phone vibrates, Avery’s name appears on the screen, along with an attachment. My lips stretch into a smile when I open a picture of our handwritten list we made in Florida last summer of places we want to travel some day. There’s no text with the picture. What I need to do at this moment is clear all of a sudden. Before I can work through my thought, my phone vibrates in my hand again.
Unknown number.
My gut tells me to answer it, even though I normally wouldn’t.
“Hello?”
“Hello, is this Maci Jackson?”
“Yes, it is. Who is this?”
“Hi, Maci, my name is Maria. I’m from the Human Trafficking Victim Rehabilitation Center in Costa Rica.”
“Oh, hi!” I try to sound excited, but I'm racking my brain trying to remember why this lady could possibly be calling me.
“I wanted to reach out and see if you were available for an interview. One of our volunteers had to back out. I know it’s short notice, but we are looking for someone who might be able to fill the position immediately. Is there any chance you’re interested?”
“Umm, yeah. Yes. I am. What would it entail?”
“We’d need you here by next week, if your background check clears of course. Our sanctuary is a place for women and children who have been rescued to have a safe place to work through their trauma and get caught up on education and life skills before they reintegrate back into society.”
“Wow, this sounds like a dream. Wait, no, that came out wrong, I’m sorry. This is just something that has weighed heavy on my heart recently, and I would love the opportunity to make a difference with it. May I ask how you got my name?”
“Yeah, a Mack Torres gave us a call a few weeks ago, he said you’d be perfect for a position.”
A few weeks ago? We weren’t together a few weeks ago. That was before I ran into him at the café. He’s been trying all this time to get me to come back closer to him, and now he’s helping me get this opportunity that’s not in the same country? God, I love him. The thought crosses my mind without permission.
“Ms. Jackson?”
“Yes, I’m here! What do you need from me to get started?
The realization hit me the second I saw Avery’s picture. I need to get out of here. Like out out of here, somewhere new I can focus on figuring out what I want without any distractions of my past. I also knew it had to be one of the places we’ve added to one of our many lists. I wish this plan could still include Avery, but I know it's not in the cards for us anymore. She and Miller moved into their house and have finally started wedding planning. A trip around the world without her fiancé doesn’t sound likely. Getting this call just now though, I feel like maybe everything is playing out how it’s supposed to, like despite everything, this is fate. I’m ready to lean into it.
