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She shook her head. “Not at all. Besides, we agreed I could start my business while living with you. I’m not in a rush, but I think Wren wants things to be different now.”
“When I first brought up this crazy plan of mine, we talked about getting engaged.” I kept my tone light. I wasn’t sure how she still felt about it. Would she be on board? Would she see it like I did, as a natural extension of our developing relationship? Sure, it was probably quicker than I’d do it without the custody case, but I could see her in my future.
“For the case, you mean.”
“That’s right.” Why did I always couch everything in terms of our fake relationship and now, engagement? I couldn’t seem to handle this right with her.
“That was the plan.”
“Right. The plan.” That didn’t sit right with me. I didn’t want to talk about the plan. I wanted to talk about our future.
“Is everything okay?” Everly shifted in the seat to see me.
I sighed as I signaled to change lanes. “It doesn’t feel like a plan anymore. More like a natural progression in our relationship.”
“I’d imagine that’s how it’s supposed to feel.”
I glanced over at her to gauge what she was thinking, but she was looking out the window.
“I’m fine with whatever you want to do. I should sayneedto do. You deserve more time with Wren. There’s no question. I know split families are hard, but it pains me that you only get to see her every other weekend and on Wednesdays for dinner. It’s not enough.”
“Not nearly enough.” Pain bloomed in my chest, the familiar one that showed up every time I thought about losing the case, a judge telling me he was keeping things the way they were. This was my only chance.
Everly reached over to cover my hand with hers. “Everything will work out.”
I nodded, my throat tight. It had to work out. I wasn’t sure where I’d be if it didn’t. Still seeing Wren for scraps of time here and there, always longing for more.
“I’m glad I have you with me in this. I couldn’t imagine doing it alone.”
“You would have been okay,” Everly said as she pulled away.
But I wasn’t so sure. Everly was always by my side, pushing me and encouraging me, and I wanted to do the same for her.
I’d go through with my instinct to renovate the office and create a space for Everly. Then I’d propose, knowing it was real. I just hoped she’d realize it too.
Seventeen
EVERLY
The day at the gardens was magical with the lights, music, the rainbows at the water fountains, and Harrison, who took every opportunity to hold my hand or gather me in his arms. It felt like we were in a long-term relationship.
It seemed like he was trying to tell me something with that conversation in the truck, but I wasn’t sure what. He seemed to couch our relationship in terms of an arrangement, reminding me that it was fake.
Or maybe it was my brain reminding me of what this was—a temporary situation for Harrison to get what he wanted. Although, he’d offered me something in return, a place to stay while I established my business. I couldn’t kick the nagging feeling that I needed to be careful.
On Monday, I gave my two weeks’ notice at work, which surprised my manager. She said she never thought I’d leave, which was telling. Was I the type to stay in a job forever? To never want anything else?
I didn’t want to be that person. It motivated me to work even harder on the business in the evenings. I wanted to make this my reality. For the first time, I was hopeful about the future.
Harrison had been extra busy with work, maybe because of the holiday season, I wasn’t sure, but he’d been holed up in his office or working with Ethan on some super-secret project he hadn’t shared with me.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. All I knew was that he wasn’t around for breakfast or most nights for dinner. It gave me more time to work, but I missed him. I’d gotten used to him cooking breakfast and us eating dinner together.
Maybe the shine of our relationship had worn off. He wasn’t as enamored with me being here.
On Wednesday night, Wren was with her mother. She’d get Thanksgiving morning, and Harrison would get the evening. Then Wren would go back to Lola’s on Friday morning. It sucked, but I was grateful Wren would be with us for his family’s dinner.
I planned to spend Thanksgiving with my mom. I wanted to invite her to Harrison’s family’s celebration. I knew it would be fun. Much better than spending it with my mom or alone, like I had every year after Dad left.
