Page 98 of Why Not Now?

“Are you serious?” I ask, my heart pounding.

“Um. Yes. You are looking for work, right?”

I blink, coming out of my shock. “Yes. I mean. I’m just not used to people calling to commission work.”

“I would have emailed, but your online portfolio didn’t have any contact information. I got your number from Vic, and she said it would be okay to call.”

“It’s fine. It’s great.” I’m not going to tell him that the portfolio doesn’t have my contact information because I don’t really share it with people. Or that the phone call isn’t what’s throwing me off, but that he’s calling at all.

“Good. So, can we set up a meeting?”

We make a plan to meet after the holidays in the first week of January. Before we say goodbye, I say, “May I ask when Vic gave you my information?”

“Yesterday. Her parents hosted a Christmas party. She told me about you and sent the link to your portfolio this morning. She encouraged me to call immediately.”

After we hang up, I stare at my phone. Even though we’ve had a fight and aren’t currently speaking to each other, Derek’s friends continue to be nice to me. And apparently are continuing to help me, just like him.

I’m still considering it when I go out to my car later to get the wrapping paper I’d bought on my way home to finish wrapping Lacey’s presents. While I’m outside, Theresa comes out as well.

“Hey, Ava. I’ve been trying to catch you since yesterday.”

I walk to the fence. “Is everything okay?”

“Oh, yes. I’m wondering about you. I saw Derek here yesterday with Lacey. I thought you two had broken up.”

“Not exactly,” I say, my brows drawing down in annoyance. Why is she watching my house so much? Has she always been this nosy? “Lacey had a problem and called Derek to help her. He brought her home after.”

Theresa tuts and shakes her head. “There he goes again, inserting himself where he doesn’t belong. I’ve told you since the beginning, that man wants to control you.”

I tilt my head to the side as I recall those conversations right before and after my parents had died. Theresa and her husband were finally filing for divorce. He was moving out. Now that she’s brought it up again, she had often asked me how Derek was handling everything with my parents. When I told her he had suggested I stay in school and to sell the house to buy something smaller, she told me he was trying to take control.

However, with the hindsight of close to nine years, I understand he’s never tried to control me, and all Theresa’sadvicecame from the fact that her husband had been trying to controlher.

“It was you,” I say. “My mind was so hazy with grief, I didn’t think about it until now, but it was you.”

“What do you mean?” she asks.

“Derek never tried to control me. He only wanted to help me. But you kept saying all that stuff. I was lost, and you were older and more experienced. I just believed you.”

“I’m only trying to help,” she says.

“Maybe. But you don’t actually know Derek. You don’t know anything about him.” I stand a little straighter. “Thank you for all your help over the years, Theresa. Now, I would appreciate it if you’d stop.”

I turn away, leaving her gaping at me as I walk into my bedroom and close my door.

After work on Christmas Eve, I knock on Lacey’s door and when she opens it, I say, “Jess invited you over today, right?”

“Yes,” she says. “But I’m grounded. Indefinitely, you said, after I snuck out on Sunday.”

“I know. You can go to Jess’ house tonight if you still want to. Tomorrow, I have some things I’d like to discuss, if you’re willing to listen.”

She blinks in surprise.

“What things?” she asks.

“I’m still working out some details,” I say. “I should have everything organized tomorrow. Can we talk then?”

“Tomorrow is Christmas.”

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