picture shows me a life that I thought I was going to have, will never come.
I’m in my own world when my phone vibrates next to me.
Angela: Made it safe and sound sweetheart. XXXOOO
Me: Good to know
Is all I muster up to respond with as I drop my phone to my side?
If she knew what I was doing, Angela would be on the next flight home to console me. I’m thirty three years old and should be able to handle this.
A part of me wishes I could text Cory for comforting, but I know we both need time apart right now.
I spend the next four hours inside my closet. As I place the last pair of my shoes up on the rack, I step back and admire my handy work.
Needing a pick me up, what better way than to see all the light reflecting off your shoes. It makes me feel as if I’m standing under a disco ball.
So what do I do, I spin around and around until I’m completely dizzy.
Somehow I managed to ignore everyone today.
I have the feeling that Cory talked with Seth, hint coming from the multiple calls and text my big brother has sent.
It’s late, and I’m exhausted from all the emotions that have come up over the last week.
Tucking myself into my cozy bed, I snuggle down for the night.
As I close my eyes, I pray that sleep comes without dreaming of either Cory or Carter.
I’m going to start calling them C&C.
****
Carter
Mrs. Stephens is very professional and good. I’ve followed her around and listened to all the suggestions and the details on how her business works.
I was intrigued by what SHI stood for, so of course I had to be nosey and ask. This is something that I could have had Jack look into, but what fun is that.
“Mrs. Stephens, I feel that if we are going to be doing business with each other I should know the meaning behind SHI,” I state.
I watch as she turns towards me, laughing, and her eyes are full of passion as she proceeds. “Funny you ask that. No one ever does. My assistant and I came up with it our junior year of college. SHI stands for Sparkles Hospitality Imperium.”
I cock my head to the side and let out a small chuckle. “Interesting,” is the only thing that comes to mind.
“I know not very professional, but it’s what we drew from the box and we had to use it,” she explains, and it clicks that Tabitha was the one to write that down. One day I’ll be able to hear the story behind the name.
After our meeting, I send her away. She’d explained how she has another meeting to attend in New York tomorrow.
Listening to all the places they hold contracts makes me thankful that my business is based in Seattle. I only travel to meet with distributors from time to time.
Chapter Thirteen:
Tabitha
Somehow I found a way to sleep through the night. No dreams; nothing, just sleep. Wide awake, I go about my daily activities. First, hitting up my yoga class, shower, coffee and then work.
I’ve banned myself from the copier, especially since the day has been going smooth. I figured I had nothing to lose from not touching the stupid thing. Reading contracts is what I set on my agenda today.
Still ignoring my brother Seth, the more I send him to voicemail the better my day will flow. Not up for the whole, ‘why did you break his heart speech.’ One day I’ll listen to what he has to say, but, today is not that day.
Today equals happy Tabitha Day, which includes a bowl of ice cream and one single cupcake.
Celebrating a new start.
Wait I have to figure out what new start. Nothing is fresh, except I’m going to look at life with clear eyes.
Filing away the revised contracts, I hear the door open. A wave of defeat rolls through my body. Knowing that when I turn around it’s one of the two people. Seth or Cory.
I have to face it sooner, rather than later.
Spinning around, I knock backwards into the file cabinets.
He is not who I was expecting at all.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to see you.” He says, as he trots further into the office with a
Hugh Cave
Caren J. Werlinger
Jason Halstead
Lauren Blakely
Sharon Cullars
Melinda Barron
Daniela Fischerova, Neil Bermel
TASHA ALEXANDER
ADAM L PENENBERG
Susan Juby