Page 168 of Girls Will Be Girls
“We’ll wrap up your latest articles and then get you moved over.” She says. “Sound good?”
I shake my head in disbelief. “That sounds amazing.” I grin. “Thank you so much.”
“Of course.” She smiles before turning a little serious. “Now please, for the love of god, I’m also your friend, so talk to me earlier next time. I don’t want you stewing in something I can fix easily,” She says. “Okay?”
“Okay.” I laugh. “I promise.”
Who knew asking for what you want is so easy and can actually work? Figures Lou would be right.That ass.
While I’m on a roll, one final thing I want makes its way out.
“I was also thinking that maybe I could start writing under my real name again?” I ask.
“Yeah, if you’re sure? I know you were worried about the privacy part.” Evelyn says.
“I’m sure.” I smile. “Candie’s so much better.”
“It really is, isn’t it?” She says, making us both laugh.
As I wrap up my last article, pack up my bag, and head out the door, I can’t wipe the cheesy smile off my face. How can life change so much in such a small space of time?
I have the job I’ve been dreaming of for years.
I feel like I’m truly starting to feel like myself for the first time, probably ever.
I have the beginnings of a real relationship with my mom, one where we talk, we’re honest. Where we accept our similarities — how we’re both finding ourselves and still learning — and also our differences, and how we can be better to each other.
I even texted my brother yesterday. It hasn’t gone past a fewhow are yousand us agreeing to text more, but that’s more than we’ve ever had.
I’ve found someone who is so into me that I don’t feel self-conscious about it at all anymore.
He loves me. He wants me. He’s choosing me.
And he’s here.
He’s here?
“Lou?”
He lifts his head from where he’s reading, stooped on my front step, glasses on his face and a bouquet of daisies in his hand, waiting for me.
He grins my favorite grin when he sees me.
“Hey, baby girl.”
He stands up and passes the flowers to me, which I take with a confused face.
“What- what are you doing here?” I can barely get the words out past my huge smile.
“Moving in, remember?” He smirks.
I laugh. “You left this morning. You can’t have sorted everything by now?”
“I did.” He steps closer. “I handed in my last feature, quit my job, and moved out of my apartment.”
I stick him with a glare. “I’m sorry, you moved out of your apartment in a matter of hours?”
“Yep.” He pulls me closer by my hips, leaning back to still look at me with a grin. “Noah’s holding a couple of boxes for me, the rest was already in the apartment when I moved in, and this is all I need for now.” He points at the two bags by his feet.
