Page 51 of (Un)Planned

I probably shouldn’t have come here. No, Idefinitelyshouldn’t have come. But so many of my belongings were still inside, probably packed in dusty boxes and hidden in the corner of the storage room. I’d put off grabbing them for so long, knowing that it was the final string tying me to my old home.

But it was time to let go.

I took my first steps in the Isadora’s ballroom and broke my arm on the back lawn at thirteen. This was the place where I nursed my first heartache and where I mourned the loss of my grandparents. My dad’s ashes were sprinkled onthe private beach, the place he’d met my mother for the first time.

My life was built inside the Isadora’s walls.

But it didn’t mean I’d always belong here.

Trying to distract myself, I checked my phone for the thirtieth time, wondering what had Theo so occupied. When I woke up alone, I figured he’d just gone to find breakfast. Then he texted, saying that he had to deal with a work situation. I expected him to want me to help him through the problem, but he not only didn’t ask me, he pointedly told me that he wanted to handle it alone. And maybe it was juvenile of me, but being shut out stung.

My original plan was to borrow Alex’s jeep, quickly grab what I needed for the hotel, and get back before anyone saw me. But when I pulled into the parking spot that used to be mine, I stared at the white colonial building, unable to go inside. I had no doubt my mother would be furious if she found me sitting here, especially after our run-in on Friday. That was almost enough to make me climb out of the car.

But as soon as my hand touched the handle, I froze, unable to take that next step. Maybe it was because the last time I’d been inside, a security guard was ushering me out, only a handful of my belongings stuffed into whatever boxes Alex and I could find.

Out of all the things my mother could have done, that was something I never would have expected. I could handle being cut off from the family funds. I could even deal with the distance between us. But the coldness in her eyes when she cast me out of my home? When she locked me out of the place I’d loved the most? That was something I’d never forget.

Someone knocked on my window, and I almost jumpedout of my skin, my hand flying to my chest. My friend, Javi smiled on the other side, pointing for me to roll the window down. “Geez,” I chuckled. “Hasn’t anyone ever told you it's rude to sneak up on someone?”

“About as rude as creeping in the parking lot of your former home,” he answered, leaning to kiss me on the cheek. “Or is there another reason you’re sitting out here?”

“Guilty.” My cheeks flushed with color. “I was going to grab the last of my stuff, but then I got here, and I couldn’t get out of the car.”

Javi turned to follow my eye-line. As the newly appointed manager of the Isadora, Javi knew better than most how wicked my mother could be. But he was one of the few she liked working with, and I knew since Alex left, she’d been relying on him more and more. She couldn’t afford to have him leave, not when all the guests raved about him. I squeezed his hand. “I didn't get enough time to talk to you yesterday. How’s Drew?”

“Good.” Javi beamed at the mention of his husband. “Busy with work, as usual, but he’s been trying to cut back and spend more time at home with me.” He smiled conspiratorially at me. “We decided that we’re going to start fostering.”

I opened the car door, pulling him in for a tight hug. “That’s amazing! What made you decide to go that route?”

He shrugged. “We spent a lot of time looking into options, but nothing felt right. It was Drew’s idea, actually. He’d talked to one of his friends who’s a county caseworker. There’s a real need for families, especially with older kids. We went to an information session, and now we’re waiting to get our first home visit.”

“And you’re feeling good about this?”

“Yeah.” Javi smiled widely. “I know there’s going to betimes when it’s hard or it hurts like hell, but I want to give these kids some stability, give them a safe place to land, for as long as we have them. I think it’ll be good for all of us.”

I placed my hand on his arm. “This is going to begreat, I know it. These kids are going to be lucky to have you guys in their lives.” I reached up to hug him again. “If there’s anything you need, do not hesitate to call. I want to help in any way I can.”

“You could come back to work,” Javi chuckled. “Did you hear that Marina quit?”

My jaw dropped open. Marina had been the events coordinator at the Isadora foryears. Sure, she’d started cutting corners in the last couple of years, and most of her decor options were from the eighties, but she was still a staple on the staff. She’d let me shadow her for years, even allowing me to make suggestions and design different elements for some of our biggest weddings. Even though I knew she did it to make her life easier, it was the first time I got to stretch my wings and try something just because I enjoyed it.

I shook my head. “I had no idea. Who’s taking over for her?”

“Good question,” Javier grumbled. “Your mother has been interviewing, but in a shock to no one, things haven’t been going very well. We’re all holding out hope that she’s going to come to her senses and hire you back. Everyone knows you were the true talent in that department.”

I shook my head. “I have a job, Javi. And even if she asked, I don’t think I’d ever want to work for my mother—not after what happened.”

He sighed and glanced down at his phone. “I’ve got to head back in.” He leaned in to kiss my cheek. “But think about what I said. Marina leaving left a huge void aroundhere, and we both know you’ve got the talent to make this opportunity something incredible.”

Reluctantly, I nodded my head. “Fine, I’ll think about it.”

“That’s all I ask.” Javi waved over his shoulder as he walked toward the employee entrance.

I’d just started pondering his words when my phone dinged in my pocket. I pulled it out, smiling when I saw Theo’s name on the screen.

THEO

Change of plans. I have to head back to the city tonight. Can I convince you to come with me? If not, I can set up a car service for you.

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