Page 54 of The Forever Rule

“No, I’ll call you both tomorrow. But I have a job. They don’t treat me like crap yet. And I think I’m going to like the projects I’m on so far.”

“Good. And if you want your dad to beat up that man, you let me know.”

For a moment I thought she meant Aston, then I realized she meant my old boss.

“It’s okay. He’s my past. That whole company is. Let’s work toward the future.”

“Of course. Now, are you and Isabella going to come over for dinner this weekend?”

“Maybe. It depends on her schedule.”

“I know she’s so busy with that job of hers. She works far too many hours for being on salary.”

“I keep telling her that, but she’s stubborn.”

“Now that’s an understatement. I hope she’s doing okay, I know she’s going through so much with her family. And isn’t that a coincidence that it happens to be the Cages?”

“I’m trying not to think too hard about that. But Isabella’s fine with it, and they seem to be fine with it. I’m going to pretend that I’m not in the middle of it.”

“That’s my girl. You live in your own sense of reality. That will totally be safe.”

“I sense the sarcasm.”

“I love you, baby. Make sure you eat a real dinner, and not some microwavable thing over the sink. You need your protein and fiber.”

“I will, Mom. I love you.”

We said our goodbyes, and I stood there, phone in hand, knowing that I was loved. I had two parents who adored me, who would’ve taken me in if I needed help after not having a job for three months. They would’ve done anything for me. Same as Isabella.

I wasn’t alone.

And yet, I couldn’t help but feel a little disconnected.

I sighed, and changed into joggers and a tank top, and made a healthy dinner thanks to my mom because I had been thinking about ordering pizza, and then went to look at my folders that I had taken home, trying to study up on this new job I did not want to ruin.

An hour after dinner my phone buzzed, and I looked down, my stomach once again tightening.

I let it ring one more time before finally answering.

“Aston.”

“You answered. I was afraid you wouldn’t.”

“I was afraid you wouldn’t call.” I hadn’t meant to blurt that, and when he was silent for a long moment, I was afraid I had messed up.

“I wasn’t sure I would. I should have called before. But I thought that pushing you away, and everything that wasn’t my family, would be safer. And yet nothing feels very safe right now.”

“I don’t know what that means, Aston,” I said honestly.

“I don’t think I do either. Let’s do coffee.”

I froze. “Is that a good idea?”

“No. Not in the slightest. But let’s start over. Before everything.”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“It’s not.”

---