Page 107 of February

“Depends. Is she mad that you’re trying to buy it or cool with it?”

“That’s the complicated part, but it doesn’t have to do with us. She and I are good. I just want her to be happy with whatever the outcome is.”

“Then, I’d say have as much fun as you can with her while you’re here, but see if there’s something real to it. If there is, you will have to figure out what you want to do. Moving here for someone you just met might not be the best idea, but if you’d really consider moving here without her being here, then maybe you were meant to all along.”

Monica had a lot to think about on her walk back to the office. She and Bridgette had planned to meet at two in the afternoon to discuss what had happened with her parents, sothat gave her a little time to walk around before she had to get back. Monica decided to go to the Square, which was becoming one of her favorite places in the city. She wandered by one artist’s display after the other before she heard a throat clear, so she turned to see a woman who looked familiar.

“You’re the fortune teller,” she said.

“I’m one of them, yes,” the woman replied with a kind smile. “And I saw you, so I thought I’d come over and tell you that the cards say yes.”

“Sorry?”

“I’ve read the cards for you, and they say yes.”

“You read… I’m sorry. What?”

“The cards tell me that you should go with what your heart is telling you. I think you know what I’m talking about. And I must run to set up my table, but I am certain about this, so you should be, too.”

The woman walked off then, leaving her standing there, thinking about what she’d just heard. Monica had just been picturing how her life would be if she moved here. She’d just been silently asking herself if she should seriously consider giving up her life in New York and moving to New Orleans. The fortune teller had just told her that the cards said yes.

CHAPTER 25

“Hey, are you back at the office yet?” Bridgette asked into the phone.

“No. But you’d know that because you’re there, right?” Monica asked.

“Iam, but I just stepped into the hallway and thought I might have missed you.”

“Is everything okay?”

“It’s fine. We can talk about it later, though. Mel, Kyle, and Jill are going to a late lunch, and they called me. I know you’ve already eaten, but I could use a break from this place. Any chance you’d want to come with me?”

“Are you sure? It’s a friend lunch.”

“Says the woman who invited me toherfriend lunch just this morning,” she replied with a smirk Monica couldn’t even see.

“That wasn’t a whole group.”

“Mon, if you don’t want to go, that’s totally fine, but I’d like you to be there.”

“Do they know about… us?”

Bridgette smiled and said, “Jill does because she helped me pick something out to wear for our date. But I didn’t call her after to tell her how it went, so she doesn’t know it’s still going. Mel and Kyle have been busy, so I haven’t filled them in yet.” Shepaused, but Monica didn’t say anything, so she added, “Babe, you fit.” Bridgette turned away when someone from another suite walked by. “You fit with me, okay? And that means you fit in with my friends. They’re welcoming people. I’d like them to get to know you.”

“Are they going to think I’m weird if I don’t eat?”

“No.” Bridgette chuckled. “Just tell them they were last minute with their invite, so you made other plans.”

“Okay. Should I meet you at the office?”

“Where are you now?”

“I was walking around the Square.”

“You can just meet me there, then. It’ll be easier for you. I’ll send you the info for the restaurant.”

“Okay,” Monica replied.

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