Page 138 of February

“Are you really sorry?” Monica asked, looking almost hopeful.

Bridgette dropped her hand, waited a moment, hoping this didn’t change them in a bad way but in possibly the best way, and then shook her head.

“No, I’m not sorry.”

“Neither am I,” Monica told her as she took her hand. “Because I’m in love with you, too.”

“You are?” Bridgette asked, hopeful.

Monica nodded and said, “Back to the original point of this conversation, though: I don’t know about working here officially.”

“That’s okay.” Bridgette shook her head. “Forget I said that. Not important anymore. We–”

“Babe, I meant that I can’tright now. I want to help, and I’m yours to employ how you see fit, but I don’t want to be on payroll. When my dad finally retires, and I feel like I’ve done what I can to help Arnette transition, then, maybe we can talk more about an official role for me here at Southern.”

“Yeah?” Bridgette asked. “That’s, like, a year away.”

“Is that okay? Iwillhelp. I don’t need a paycheck.”

“No, I meant that you’re talking a year from now, where we’re still together, that you’ll start working here.”

“Yeah,” Monica confirmed with a smile.

Bridgette smiled back and replied, “I’ve never really had that, either.”

“Someone planning a year ahead?”

Bridgette nodded.

“I think I can get on board planning however far ahead you want, Bridgette Musgrave. I can promise I’m in a much better place than when we first met, and I can see it all for us now. Whatever we want it to be for us, I can see it.”

“Can we start by shopping for wineglasses?”

Monica laughed and said, “Sure. This weekend?”

“Yes. And I’m leaving that desk in the office for you.”

“Bridge, it’syouroffice.”

“I know. But if you’re here, and we’re working together, you can be in there with me. It would be a practice run, really. Can we be togetherandwork together?”

“I suppose that’s true,” Monica agreed.

Bridgette’s phone buzzed in her pocket, so she pulled it out and glanced at the screen.

“Mel wants to hang out tonight.”

“Yeah? You should go, maybe,” Monica suggested. “I know you’ve missed her.”

“Not just her and I, but with Kyle and Jill, too.”

“Is Jill single?” Monica asked.

“Yes. Why?”

“Maybe Sophie could join us.”

“Are you trying to set up your friend?”

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