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“I like the way you think,” Emersyn chimes in as she steps behind the reception desk and gives Love a wink. “While your mom fills out the paperwork, let’s look at Jade’s class schedule and see what classes we have room to slide you into.”
“That would be awesome! Having a friend in class would be amazing.”
“Jade usually sticks to the ballet classes, but she takesa hip-hop class now and then,” Emersyn says as she presses some buttons on the computer and points toward the screen.
Once I finish the mound of paperwork, I hand it back to Selina. “Do you have a recommendation of what classes Love should take?”
“We’re flexible about what classes she attends. Based on what Love has told me about her dance experience, she can take any of our classes,” Selina says with a soft smile as Emersyn nods her head in agreement.
“I think we have it all figured out.” Emersyn presses a few more keys on the keyboard, and the printer comes to life. “Here is a copy of your schedule, Love. If you ever need any help training, getting to class, or anything, just let me know.”
She writes something on the top of the sheet before handing it to Love.
“Thanks,” Love replies quickly, folding the paper a few times and shoving it into her pocket. “It was nice meeting you, Emersyn.”
“The pleasure was all mine. I’ll see you in a couple of days when you come in for your next class.”
“That’s if she doesn’t show up here before then.” We all laugh as Love’s cheeks flush with embarrassment.
“Alright, now that we have that taken care of, let’s get you two to your new home.” Selina grabs a set of keys off the hook attached to the wall behind the desk.
“It’s alright, Selina.” I smile, threading my arm through Love’s. “We are just going to head home andturn in early. The movers are coming bright and early tomorrow morning.”
Although Leia offered to let us stay at one of her parents’ rental cottages, I decided to look for a house to rent instead. With the rental cottages being in the hills outside of Tyson’s Creek, it’s a little further away than I want to be from work and Love’s school. Thankfully, I managed to find an adorable three-bedroom craftsman-style home in a neighborhood close to Bristol’s house and only a few blocks away from Selina’s parents’ house.
“Do you need any help moving things in?” Emersyn asks. “I have a couple of guy friends that will do anything for pizza and beer.”
“We also know a certain single father who will probably be more than willing to help you.” Selina winks at me, causing my cheeks to turn a matching shade of pink to my daughter’s.
“We’re fine. Thank you both, but we really should be going.”
“Bye, Auntie Selina. Bye, Emersyn.”
“Bye, Love. Please don’t let your mom overdo it. If you need help with anything, just shoot us a text, and we’ll be there with bells on,” Selina yells, making sure I hear her.
“Will do. I promise,” Love replies as she pulls me toward the door.
I give Selina and Emersyn a wave as we head out and climb into the car, and I plug in the directions for our new home. The robotic voice of the GPS leads us a fewmiles further into town before we pull into our rental home. I smile. “Here it is. What do you think?”
Love doesn’t respond but gives me a small smile before climbing out of the car. I quickly follow and bump our shoulders together. “It won’t be so bad. You already have Jade as a friend.”
“I like her, Mom. You should see her dance! She looks like one of those prima ballerinas on television,” Love whispers.
I hear the longing for a chance to put down roots and thrive in her voice. She has never said it outright, but I’m sure she blames me for our recent move. Who would have thought following your heart would lead you in the wrong direction every time?
“You have always been my number one priority, Love. I know that I’ve been chasing the idea of being in love and making all the wrong decisions, but I promise, this time will be different,” I reply, my heart aching as the words slip through my lips.
“What happened with Ian wasn’t your fault, Mom. He was nice to you, to both of us. No one would have known he was keeping secrets.” Love places her hand on my shoulder and squeezes before continuing toward the door. “I have a wonderful feeling about this place.”
“I do, too.” I don’t know what the future holds for either of us, but I have to agree with Love. I have a good feeling about this place. I have three friends who have become my family and support Love and me. I have a job I know I’m going to love. I’ll get to witness the birth ofmy first niece or nephew, and Love has already made a friend. Now, I just need to forget the owner of a certain set of emerald-green eyes, and everything will be perfect.
No matter what Selina says, Connor and I can’t be anything more than acquaintances. I’d love to avoid him completely, but that really isn’t possible for several reasons. The main one is that our daughters have become fast friends. I’ll be polite, but things can’t go beyond that, no matter how much either of us might want it to.
I shake the negative thoughts from my mind before following Love to the front door, ready to begin our new adventure. We look around the house and map out where our things will go before heading back to the car. It takes a few trips, but we get the car unloaded and unpack the few items we’ve brought with us. Although most of the furniture in our old apartment belonged to Ian, I had a few pieces I brought with me when I moved in. Thankfully, I had the forethought to pack our things into a storage unit instead of selling them, and the movers will deliver everything else tomorrow. I’ll probably have a few smaller items that I’ll need to purchase, but we should be good for a few weeks until I collect my first paycheck.
Once we get the last box unpacked, Love and I collapse onto the couch. Exhausted from driving a good chunk of the day, we order Chinese food and head to bed early. After a fitful night of sleep, thinking about Connor, I wake up bright and early to wait for the movers to arrive.
I finish my morning routine just as Love comesdown the stairs, and there’s a knock on the door, signaling the movers’ arrival. It only takes a few hours for them to move everything in and be on their way. As one of the movers hands me a clipboard with a stack of papers to sign, my stomach growls loudly.
