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But I guess that’s now how life works.
Strangely, I feel free.
I thought the repayment of my student loan was my ticket to freedom. But that’s not it at all.
I know what I want. I want Noah. And I don’t want to wait to see what happens with us. I want to set wheels in motion and start my new life.
When we return to our suite for a nap later, I call the Curries.
ChapterNineteen
Noah
The girl I’ve been following around Fate for years is in Nashville for New Year’s Eve.
And I followed her there, too, under the direction of her terrifying best friend.
I make my way into the ballroom of the historic hotel in downtown Nashville. I was worried about driving in the city, but Jasmine and Chris had an Uber waiting for me.
I check into the hotel at 11:45 p.m. after catching the soonest flight possible. My instructions are to change into proper wedding attire and be in the ballroom by midnight.
I hope I don’t screw this up.
The suit somehow fits even better than the one Ursula altered for me. I check myself out in the mirror, and I wonder why I never thought to let women dress me before.
They’d better watch out, because they just made a clothes horse out of me.
The ballroom on the main floor is small but charming, with cool historic details. The small number of tables are decked out with wild, over-the-top centerpieces. There’s glitter and twinkling lights everywhere.
And the emcee has just begun counting down to midnight.
Shit, I’d better find Ursula.
“Ten, nine, eight…”
I spot her across the room, a waiter filling her glass with champagne.
“Seven, six, five…”
I sprint to her, nearly knocking over her drink.
“Noah! What are you doing here?”
She looks incredible in a festive slip dress that makes me want to carry her out of here and back to my room.
“Three, two, one!”
“I—” I am drowned out by the cheering and the noisemakers as Ursula stands there, looking stunned.
I don’t want to pull her away from her friends, so I lean in and speak right into her ear. “When you love someone, you don’t keep saying it. You show it. And I’m here to show you that if you want to go back to the way things used to be—if you want to move back here and start your life over—then I’ll be here. I’ve applied for jobs in the area because I can’t imagine not having you in my life. So I’ll be here. If you want me.”
I’ve said my piece. I put some distance between us to give her time to think.
All around us, couples are kissing, cheering, some of them drunkenly singing “Auld Lang Syne.”
A slow smile spreads across Ursula’s face, and she motions for me to come closer.
“I’m buying the business from the Curries.”
