Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 92140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“You definitely should! Before you forget them.”
“Because I’m so old?”
I laughed. “Exactly. Soon you’ll be senile, and you won’t even remember your name.”
“But I’ll remember you.”
My face warmed. “Thank you.”
“So how are you?”
“Good. I’m in Detroit, actually.”
“Oh yeah? What are you doing there?”
Settling down a little deeper beneath the covers, I told him about my phone conversation with Alison Obermeyer and the invitation to visit her shop. “I’m meeting her there at eight before it opens,” I said.
“Are you excited?”
“Yes. I have this feeling that my life is about to change,” I confessed. “It’s this feeling in my belly—like when you’re coming down on the Ferris wheel but your stomach stayed up at the top.”
“Is it a good feeling? Do you want your life to change?”
“I think so. Yes.” I plucked at a loose thread in the comforter. “I’m happy with my life now, but I think I’ve gotten into a bit of a rut. And to get out of it, I need to make a conscious effort to dream bigger and go for things.”
“I agree. Trust your gut and be brave.” He sneezed twice in a row, and I made a sympathetic sound.
“You poor thing. If I was your neighbor, I’d bring you some chicken noodle soup.”
“That sounds good. You know how to cook?”
“I know my way around the kitchen,” I said. “I’m not as good as Frannie, my stepmom, or my sister Felicity, but I enjoy it. And I love making soup on cold days—chicken noodle, pumpkin, minestrone . . .”
He groaned. “I wish you were my neighbor too. All that sounds delicious.”
“Do you cook?”
“Depends how you define ‘cook.’ I’m very good at the microwave. I know what all the buttons are.”
I laughed. “How about pots and pans? Own any of those?”
“I think I lost them in the divorce. My best real food-related skill is ordering takeout. I think that’s what I’ll do tonight.”
“What will you order?”
“You made me want chicken noodle soup. I’ll try to find some. Although I’m sure it won’t taste as good as yours.” He blew his nose again.
“Maybe not, but it will be good for you. Got any ginger tea?”
“Is that a real question?”
“Yes,” I said, laughing. “You should drink some ginger tea with honey.”
“I’m fresh out of ginger tea. And honey.”
I sighed. “Fine. But make sure you’re hydrating.”
“Yes, Mom.”
“And get enough sleep! You won’t get better without rest.”
“You were more fun in person. I’m starting to regret calling you.”
I giggled. “I’m going to bed, but I’ll check in on you tomorrow.”
He coughed. “Okay. Goodnight.”
“Night.” I ended the call and touched my phone to my chin.
It was definitely easier to be friends with him when he wasn’t right next to me. And that cold sounded awful.
But I still wished he was here.
“So how did it go?” Winnie asked. I had her on speaker as I headed north on I-75.
“It was fantastic!” I was bubbling over with excitement. “Her shop is so beautiful, and she’s such a cool person. I loved her.”
“That’s awesome! So did you decide?”
“Pretty much,” I said. “It makes my stomach all jittery to say it out loud, but after talking to her, I’m more convinced than ever that this is what I should do.”
Winnie squealed. “So what next?”
“Several things. I want to reach out to all the designers who are sending dresses and veils for the March show and tell them what I’m doing. Hopefully, they’ll all want to be stocked in my salon.”
“I’m sure they will!”
“I need to look for a space.”
“Frannie said she knows a commercial realtor, remember?”
“She’s my next call.” I took a deep breath. “And then I need to let Aunt Chloe know I’m leaving. Were you serious about taking over for me?”
“Yes, but I’ll need to give notice at Abelard, and I don’t want to do that until we know for sure Chloe would be on board with hiring me. She might have someone else in mind for the job.”
“Are you kidding? She’d never hire someone else if you wanted that position. You’re amazing at what you do, and you’re family.”
“Still, you approach her and let me know. She’s the boss.”
“I’ll talk to her right away,” I promised.
We hung up, and I placed the call to Frannie, who said she would contact the real estate agent right away. But first she wanted to hear all about how the visit to Bellissima Bridal had gone. I told her everything I’d just told Winnie, with even more exuberance.
“Oh Mills, that’s wonderful. I’m so excited for you.”
“Thanks. I really feel this in my bones—it’s the right move for me.”
“I think so too.”
“I’m nervous about talking to Chloe, though,” I admitted.
“Don’t be. Chloe will understand following your passion, believe me. Go see her tomorrow.”
“Gah, that makes me so nervous. You don’t think I should wait until I have some things in place first?”