Page 42 of More Than Falling in Love

For years, all I wanted was to live in the Big Apple.The city never sleeps.I can get food at any hour of the night.There is so much to love about this iconic city.

And my dream finally came true.I packed up my suitcases, found a job waiting tables as a holdover until I could land a job in my field, and moved in with a roommate, who referred me for an amazing job.I’m still there, and big things are happening at work.Leaving now would send potential deals into chaos, and I’m not even sure I want to leave.

I’m not sure what I want anymore.

But the next time I fly to Texas, I’m scheduling more time.

I tuck the empty suitcase in my closet and flop across the bed.Getting into my pajamas feels like too much work.

My phone buzzes, and I grab it, hoping it’s a call.It’s just a text.

Kent:Home yet?

Me:Just finished unpacking.

Kent:Thanks for coming.

Me:When does school start?Maybe I could be there for his first day.

Kent:I’ll check the school calendar and let you know.

Me:Have time to chat?

Not even a second after hitting send, my phone rings.

“Everything okay?”Kent sounds concerned.

“I’m okay.My roommate moved out the day I flew down, and my apartment is so quiet.It’s weird.”I put the phone on speaker and change into my jammies.

“First time living by yourself?”

“Am I that obvious?”I slide under the covers and hold the phone to my ear.“It’s different.”

“Yeah.It is.”He’s silent for a few beats.“You can call me any time.”

“You’re dead tired at the end of every day.Tonight, you probably had to fight sleep just to message me so late.”I appreciate the effort in ways I’d never admit to anyone.

“Guilty as charged.But you can still call me.”

“Thanks.Now, go sleep.”

“Night, Flutter.”

The call ends, and I lay the phone on the bed.When I go back to Stadtburg, I’ll see if Tandy wants to meet for coffee.Maybe she can give me advice on how to get the soul tugging to stop.Because after her comment about focusing on her career, I’m guessing she knows a little something about that.

I wake up exhausted.My dreams were a continuous loop of falling into water.The river, the watering tank, even the horse trough, but thankfully that never actually happened.

The shower wakes me up, and I’m eager to start the day.But coffee will be needed to combat the interrupted sleep.And there’s a coffee shop just down the street from my office.But what I really want this morning is one of the doughnuts from that place in Stadtburg.Next time, I’ll have to get some to bring back with me.I wonder how well they freeze.

Because of a client meeting later in the day, I put on a dress, tuck heels into my bag, and slide on tennis shoes.I know better than to walk in my heels.It’s not comfortable.

After hurrying down the steps at the station, I make it to the platform before my train arrives.It’s amazing what I can accomplish in the few minutes I’m waiting.Using that time helps me feel productive and makes the wait seem shorter.

But today, a very confused-looking couple, who are both wearing Kansas T-shirts, look from the rail on the left to the one on the right, and that has me distracted.

I remember how lost I felt when I first braved the subway system.“Where are y’all trying to go?”The few years I’ve spent here haven’t been enough to wipe out my Georgia accent.

The woman smiles.“We’re trying to get to the Empire State Building.”

---