Page 148 of All Too Well
While I’ve loved every minute I’ve spent in this city, I’m ready to go where it feels like home.
“I’m not sure about that.”
I grin. “Well, it gives me a reason to come back.”
“So what exactly is the full agreement?” she asks as I’m cleaning off my desk, putting things in a box.
“I’m going to remain a reporter forMetro NYbut write what I want, kind of. I can cover politics or anything that I’ve pitched since I started here.”
“That’s amazing.”
“I just have to convince Lachlan that we can actually be a couple and ask if I can move in.” I let out a nervous giggle.
That’s the only kink in my plans. There’s not a lot of real estate or rental options in Ember Falls. I have, like, three choices. The cabin in the woods, Lachlan’s house, or sleeping in my car. So, really, I have one option.
“That’s going to go over well.”
“Yeah, this plan is flawed.”
Caroline pushes back, tossing her legs up on my desk. “You’ll be so much closer to DC too.”
“Yeah, that’ll be the good thing. I can get there in a few hours to cover anything big.”
Although I really want to focus on smaller-level government issues to start. I want to talk about what will give immediate help to others.
“I know that politics and all that is what you really wanted to write about, but this article about Lachlan is really good. You should consider more human-interest pieces, just maybe not athletes.”
I laugh and lean against the edge. “I think I did okay.”
“Look, most people didn’t even know Ultimate Frisbee was a thing, so you could’ve written anything about the rules and no one would know.”
“I’m pretty sure I could do the sports reporting.”
“No.”
I laugh and then let out a long sigh. “I’m going to miss you.”
Caroline was the first friend I made here. I was this sheltered military brat from Virginia Beach who felt as though I wasdropped off in another world. Caroline was in the room across the hall, and we instantly clicked.
She was from Jersey and spent most of her teenage years taking the train into the city, so I had a tour guide.
“I always thought you and I would be like Carrie and Charlotte, always living here, but you’d marry well, and I’d still be writing in my apartment.”
I thought the same. “I’m not sure I’m Charlotte. I feel like I’m more Samantha.”
She laughs at that. “You’re not tough enough.”
“Whatever. I can be tough.”
“You can be, but you’re not jaded yet. The city only gave you a few scratches. You haven’t felt the deep cuts.” Caroline stands, helping put more things in the box. “I’m proud of you, Ainsley.”
“What? Why?”
“Because you’re going after what you want, no matter what obstacles are in your way.”
“Well, it’s one large obstacle that I may not be able to get around.”
Especially if he remains his normal stubborn self.
