He hurried and left the room without another word.
The moment he disappeared the tears fell again.
Two dayslater I stood in my kitchen, brewing coffee. I had a batch of scones in the oven—baking was the perfect distraction on this early Sunday morning. My hair was pulled back in a messy braid and I still wore my night clothes, a matching silk navy blueset. And that wasn’t like me. I never ‘lounged’ around in the morning. I was always dressed properly and ready to go.
A knock startled me. I set my coffee cup down and strode across the kitchen, wondering who in the world would be here this early. Turning the handle, I opened the front door. Emberly and Rosamund barged in without giving me a chance to speak as the former tossed the Sunday paper onto the table and then turned toward me, hands on her hips.
“Look.” She nodded at the table.
“Well, good morning you two. Would you like to come in? Can I offer you some coffee and a scone?” I raised a brow.
“You haven’t been answering your phone, CeCe,” Emberly said with concern. “And I’ve had a hard time hunting you down at work. But I have to show you something.”
I wandered back to the kitchen and took the scones from the oven, arranging them on a rack to cool. Tossing the oven mitt on the counter, I poured two cups of coffee, setting them in front of my friends as they took their seats at the table.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so disheveled,” Rosamund said, her auburn hair pulled back.
I shrugged, taking my seat. “What do you want me to look at?”
“The ad. For the building,” Emberly replied, her amber eyes boring into mine.
“Why? I don’t sit there and fantasize over it anymore. It’s too depressing. I’ll never afford it anyway.”
“Oh for the love of everything, just look at the damned advertisement,” Rosamund barked.
“Sorry,” I muttered, pulling the paper to me.
I scanned the ad for the building. I didn’t know why they wanted me to look at it. Everything was the same…except…my finger caught on something. “What is this?” I whispered in disbelief. “It says it was sold.”
My heart shattered.
“Yes, it was. But look below,” said Emberly.
I continued reading. The entirebuilding had been purchased by investors, it said. But now, instead of asking for unrealistic amounts of money, it was for rent. And it wasn’t that expensive. In fact…I could probably afford it.
“Oh…” I said quietly, unable to comprehend what I was reading.
“Oh? That’s all you have to say?” Rosamund rose and plated up the scones before reclaiming her seat.
“I don’t know what you want me to say…”
Emberly reached across the table and grabbed my hand. “You’re depressed?—”
“I’m not?—”
“Shh.” She raised a hand. “Let me finish. You aren’t answering your phone. You’re barely teaching your classes and getting your work done. And we’re worried. But this right here”—she pointed to the paper again—“is a sign. Do it.”
“I can’t do that. That means I’d have to quit my job…”
“Exactly.”
I pulled my hand away, my heart in my throat. “You think I should quit?”
“Yes,” Rosamund interjected. “We’re not dancing around this anymore. You’re miserable. I think these last few months with the expedition—and Liam—has opened your eyes to what you truly want. You aren’t happy and we hate to see you this way. Take a leap and fucking do it.”
“No. No way. I just need to get on track and then everything will be back to the way it was.”
That’s not true. Why are you still lying to yourself, Cerise?I thought.