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Jobe’s silence is unnerving.
“I’m moving somewhere out of the city.” He doesn’t ask, but I sense he is thinking it.
“Do you need help finding another property?”
“Not yet. After the house sells, I’ll consider my options.” I unfold the brochure on the house in Crystal Cove. The beachside community filled me with happiness when Franklin and I visited, and I kept going back to why. Something about being close to the beach, in tune with nature, appeals to me.
“I do have potential buyers on file. Leave it with me, and I’ll get back to you in a couple of days.”
“Thanks, Jobe. And remember, this is between us.”
“My brother is going to kill me.”
“I doubt that.”
My heart thumps in my chest as I end the call.
Yet it feels damn good to be in control of my life.
* * *
Three weeks later…
It’s Friday night,and I’m heading to my condominium for a quiet night.
I am not watchingThe Proposalagain.
No more love stories…
But the scene when Andrew proposes to Margaret in front of their staff… oh, my heart. If only movies replicated life, and if I hadn’t met Franklin at a time he wanted to propose for all the wrong reasons, we might have stood a chance.
With a rosé wine in my hand, I step outside on the balcony and lean against the railing, ready for the color show of the night sky at dusk.
My cell buzzes in my pocket.
Jobe.
My heart races with thoughts about why he’s calling.
“Evening, Jobe.”
“Evening, Penny,” he says with that trademark Hendricks’ drawl. “Want the good news to brighten your weekend?”
I close my eyes.
Is Franklin home?
“Yes, please make my day. It’s been a crap week.”
“The condo has an offer above the asking price.”
My shoulders slump while I clear my throat. “That’s great news. Thank you, Jobe.” Tears well in my eyes.
Why does it feel like the beginning of the end?
“I now have something to celebrate.” I raise my glass toward the building opposite me. Thirty years old and celebrating milestones in life alone.
“You should celebrate with your friends. Give them a night out because you’ll make a massive profit.”
