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“It was my favorite.” I loved creating things. Still did. I longed to do it for a living, but that was unrealistic. Not practical. Everyone knew the starving artist cliché. I wouldn’t make any money selling art. It was why I’d gotten a different degree in school and worked a practical office job.
“Are you making any new invitations?” Wren asked.
“I made the most gorgeous one last weekend.” I scrolled through my phone to show her. I’d been playing with adding special details to the invitations, like embossed lettering and gold and silver filigree.
“It’s so pretty.”
Harrison returned, smelling of soap, like he’d jumped in the shower. He wore a T-shirt and gym shorts, his usual outfit for lounging at home. But he smelled masculine and fresh, and I wanted to slide his T-shirt up and feel my skin on his. I wanted to know if this attraction was all in my head.
Harrison met my gaze over Wren’s shoulder. “Another invitation?”
“You know I’m working with Gia at Happily Ever Afters now.” She’d recently invited me to be part of her business partnership. She already worked with Abby, the photographer; Sophie, the baker; and Lily, the florist. She’d recently hired her best friend, Harper, to help organize things, and another wedding planner, Ireland. “I created some options that she can offer as a package. The brides can choose one of those or create a custom invitation.”
So far, most brides wanted custom. It was what I preferred, getting to know the couple and creating something that was uniquely theirs. I offered ideas for how to preserve the invitation to hang on their wall, but Gia had ideas about streamlining income. She wanted her wedding planning service to be successful, but also our respective businesses.
“How’s that going?” Harrison asked as he grabbed a glass and poured water into it.
“It’s been steady work. Gia markets and gets the couples. We meet with them, show them our packages, and work with them to get it just right.” I was cautiously optimistic about it.
“You finally going to quit your day job?” Harrison was the one who encouraged me to start a business since he had.
But all I did was create wedding invitations. It wasn’t a sustainable source of income. “I wish.”
“I started the rental business as an additional stream of income, working in the evenings and on weekends. I built it to the point that I didn’t have a choice but to quit.”
Harrison owned a supply rental company. He purchased tents, tables, and linens, adding more to his collection as his business grew. He rented them out for a hefty price. Working with Gia really helped him get a steady income, and I knew he hoped for the same for me. But my business was smaller than his. It wouldn’t sustain me.
“I don’t see that happening for me.” It was always in the back of my mind that anything could change in an instant. Gia’s business might go under. Or she could decide my invitations weren’t good enough for her to offer.
“Keep an open mind,” Harrison said.
“I want to open a business,” Wren said.
Harrison grinned at her. “That’s my girl. What are you thinking about doing?”
Wren frowned. “I haven’t decided yet.”
“You have plenty of time for that,” Harrison said.
“Want to play a card game?” I asked them, getting up to grab a deck I knew Harrison kept in the kitchen drawer. It was one of my favorite things to do when Wren was over.
We decided on one and dealt the cards. It was familiar and comforting when we teased each other, accusing Wren of cheating by dealing herself the best cards. It was fun and light, and I wanted to hold on to the moment forever.
I wasn’t sure how living together would change things, but I knew it would. Nothing ever stayed the same.
Three
HARRISON
After Everly went home, I sent Wren to take her shower. Afterward, she met me in my room so I could brush her hair. This was the time we usually talked about school or anything she was worried about. But tonight, I needed to talk to her.
She climbed into bed next to me. I set my phone aside and took the proffered hairbrush. “I want to talk to you about something.”
“Am I in trouble?” she asked as she cocked her head.
“Do you have something you should be in trouble for?” I asked her.
“Nope.”
