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“It’s okay. I knew you weren’t asleep but. . . I didn’t want to add more pressure.” She exhaled. “But really.” She pushed herself from the counter and patted my shoulder. “You lookgood.”
We smiled at one another before she turned to look at the seating chart that still lay unsolved on the counter.
“Milo,” she said loud enough for them to overhear over the magnet excitement, “why is your dad sitting by the stage? He’s going to want to sit with Holly.”
Milo slapped his knees and stood, Madeline close behind him. “That’s what I said!”
I laughed at the group, grabbed my shot glass and phone, and headed out onto the porch, letting them bicker some more over something that didn’t matter.
“You’re 100% sure about this?” Elliot asked, waving my final paycheck in front of me.
I didn’t even attempt to grab it. “You said you were excited.”
“I was. Iam. Just going to miss having you around the office.” He finally stopped waving the check, allowing me to take it.
“I won’t be going anywhere soon. I just won't be in this office.”
“Are you going to rent a space or. . .” he trailed off, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
“Honestly, I don't know. I think I’ll just work remotely. I have my laptop and internet, and that's all I need for now, and then well. . . we’ll see where I go from there.”
He smirked. “Did you send that email?”
Pursing my lips, I shook my head and sat down. “Not yet.”
“Have you texted her?” Elliot sat on the edge of his desk, crossing his feet and folding his arms over his chest.
Meeting his gaze for half a second, I shook my head again. “She said we’d talk after the wedding.”
“Not even anI miss you?”
I didn’t move. I just stared at his perfectly polished shoes. Though Elliot was fun to work with and knew how to handle business, I much preferred the worn-out jeans and t-shirts to the shiny shoes and suits that I normally saw him in. To my surprise, Elliot had become a friend.
“Do you think I should?” I asked, my voice low, hoping he didn’t hear me.
He heaved a sigh and uncrossed his feet, wiggling just a tad to shove his hands in his pockets again. “I think you’d be an idiot not to. Oh, and while you’re at it. Send that email.”
Milo’s apartment was now 94% packed in boxes. Everything that Holly and Hannah would need was in the front room, ready to be used and then packed away when they were done. Tomorrow, Elliot and I were going to be the movers from the apartment to the house and then, after the wedding, all Milo had to do was unpack and settle into his new home and life. I was in the apartment for a few more days, then with Niko, then. . . on to my future.
I leaned against the kitchen peninsula, looking out at the bare living room, boxes towering high against the wall, my computer and phone in front of me. A text thread and email ready to be sent. I had no issue completing the email, telling Justin that I valued the work he put in for me, and that I would be able to arrive for any court as needed, but no appeal. I had made my decision there. I didn’t want my old life back. Hitting that send button was the easiest thing I had ever done. I remembered hitting it for Ophelia when she sent in her application to Harold Martin in New York, and then again to JoAnn when she wanted to pursue wedding gowns. If only I had her here to cheer me on for something so simple as denying an appeal.
Man, did I miss her. I didn’t want to bother Ophelia, but I wanted her to know I loved her; that I was thinking about her this entire time. I wanted to know what was going through her mind. If she even remotely missed me. If she loved me.
As if my thoughts were being read, my phone buzzed, and Ophelia’s name lit up the screen. I took a deep breath and answered.
“Hey,” I said softly, trying to calm the frog that was in my throat.
“Hi,” she responded. “How are you?”
“I’m good. I miss you,” I said suddenly, no chance to stop myself.
“I miss you too.”
I exhaled, letting out the breath I had been holding.
“I just uh. . .” she fumbled, coughing a little to clear her thoughts. “I just wanted to hear your voice.”
“I’m glad you called.” I whispered.
