Page 93 of Somewhere You Belong

Astrid waves a hand in front of my face. “Hello? Is anyone home over there?”

Blinking, I focus back on her. “Sorry. What did you say?”

“Jesus, should I go ahead and mark my calendar for the wedding?” she teases.

“God, no. Look, I have no idea what is happening between us, but whatever it is, it’s fun and good…reallygood.” I bounce my eyebrows at her.

“Lucky.” She sighs. “It’s been years since I’ve had agoodtime, if you catch my drift.”

I wrap my arm around her. “That’s understandable, Astrid.”

“I know, but hey, I’m happy for you.” And then something dawns on her. “What does this mean about the house then? Are you still planning on leaving?”

“I—” My response is cut off as Bentley kicks the ball into the goal, scoring for his team.

“Yes! Great shot, Bentley!” Astrid screams, clapping and jumping up and down beside me.

“Heck yeah!” Dallas clenches his fist in front of him, running up the sideline to high five Bentley as he runs past us. But before he heads back to his post, he comes over to me, places a quick kiss on my lips, and squeezes my hip. “Hey, Goose.”

Astrid and I both watch him walk back to Penn, whose knowing smile indicates he’s privy to the developments between Dallas and me as well.

“Um, that didn’t look casual, Willow,” she mumbles in my ear. “In fact, I’m pretty sure he just called you Goose. That’s quite the nickname. Care to explain?”

Rolling my eyes, I cross my arms over my chest. “It’s nothing.”

She stands in front of me as the ref blows the whistle and the game starts back up. “It’s okay to like him, Willow. Hell, I saw the sparks fly between the two of you the moment you stepped foot in Catch & Release.”

“We’re just two single adults having fun.”Yeah, keep telling yourself that, Willow.

“Doesn’t look like just fun to me.” She arches a brow and I do the same, telling her with my eyes to end the conversation.

“I think it’s time we turn the discussion to you. What’s new? Anything exciting?”

She yells something at the boys on the field and then looks back at me. “Actually, yes. Greg and Jenny, the owners of the Sunshine Bakery, are looking to retire. And I think I might try to buy the store.”

“Oh my God, that’s incredible! You’d be amazing at running that place, Astrid.”

She laughs me off. “Thanks, but it’s not the business side I’m worried about. It’s qualifying for the loan. We live off the death benefit from when Brandon died, plus my tips from the restaurant and my part-time paychecks from the bakery, which aren’t much.”

Without any hesitation, I say, “I’ll invest in you.”

Astrid nearly falls over as she spins to face me. “What?”

Shrugging like it’s no big deal, I say, “Let me be your investor. You can pay me back on whatever timeline works for you. Let me help you, Astrid.” Money is no object, but that’s not why I want to do this.

“I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You’re not asking, I’m offering.” I grab her hands. “You’re the only one who made an effort to be my friend here, and even if I don’t plan on staying, I believe in you, and you deserve this. You deserve something of your own.”

God, it’s like speaking to myself all those years ago, taking the leap of faith to start Marshall Advertising.

She worries her bottom lip between her teeth. “I can’t.”

“You can, and you will. Let me know when you want to go to the bank, and I’ll be there.”

“Willow…” Her eyes brim with tears until she throws herself at me, wrapping me in her arms. I reciprocate her hug. “Thank you.”

Feelings—so many feelings rush through me—contentment, gratitude, and purpose.

---