Page 101 of If Our Hearts Collide

She smiles. “A lot of us have evolving styles. I think it’s wonderful to allow your taste in items to be organic. Get what speaks to you in thenow.”

And I do. I find the most amazing aqua and gold butterfly painting that looks majestic and warm.

“This is the one,” I say with pride.

“I love it. Amazing choice. And just remember that in a year or whatever, you might want something different for your wall. And that is okay. There are no rules when it comes to making a space your own.”

It’s funny how complete strangers can set you on the right path without even realizing it.

I like the idea of doing things that feel good now, without any type of commitment or pressure to get everything right the first try.

If only I can put this practice into other aspects of my life…

When Angie and Claire show up to help me create a decorating game plan for my new apartment, I wasn’t expecting them to be pulling a wagon full of art supplies.

“Isn’t this a little over-the-top?” I hesitantly ask. I’m kind of afraid to set off Claire. This is clearly her idea. Angie is just the accomplice.

Claire starts laughing like I just said the funniest of jokes.

Angie, on the other hand, looks at me and shrugs. “You should have seen what she really wanted to bring. I got her to tame down some.”

Claire claps her hands and then flutters about my place like a pregnant butterfly, oohing and aahing over all the possibilities. But she isn’t telling me what to do or trying to control everything. She is simply asking me various questions and helping me to articulate what I have already envisioned but was too inside my head to see clearly.

Calling these girls was the best thing I’ve done all day. Already, I am rearranging furniture the way I want it, and their confidence in my ability to do it gives me strength.

“Oh, I love that idea, Penny,” Angie says, helping me to hold the painting while we mark the location of where we should put the nails into the wall.

“What still needs to be done?” Claire asks me, pulling out a pad of paper and some colored pencils. “We can make a vision board so you have an idea of what is left to do.”

“I think I would like an armchair for the bedroom and maybe a duvet?”

“Oh, yeah, that sounds good,” she agrees. “Let’s work on a color scheme. It will make searching for the items a lot less exhausting.”

Claire’s phone rings, and we all turn to look at the device.

“Who is it?” Angie asks.

“My ball and chain…”

I laugh. Yup, Nic has turned into quite the overprotective fiancé, that’s for sure. “I’m shocked he even allowed you to come here without a five-man escort.”

“Oh, they are waiting in the lobby,” she says coolly. “But there’s six of them. One for each of my personalities.”

Angie smirks. “She’s not lying.”

Claire answers the call. “Hello, stalker. Yes, I’m drinking water.” She motions with her hand, and I run into the kitchen to get her a glass. She takes a sip and then gargles it—probably to provide him proof—before swallowing. “Okay, fine. Yes, I will allow them to escort us back.”

“Time to go?” I ask, when she ends the call.

“Yeah, apparently I have another ultrasound appointment that slipped my mind.”

“Oh, fun.”

She looks at me like I have five heads. “Oh, yeah, super fun. The last time, Nic almost fought with the ultrasound tech when they refused to answer any of his questions, stating something about it being protocol. Well, your brother thought they were just being ‘unnecessarily difficult’ on purpose and told them they were making up rules as they go.”

“Well, at least there’s never a dull moment,” Angie says, making us all laugh.

“That’s one way of putting it,” Claire grumbles.

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