Page 33 of Wildfire
"And what about your job at the school?"
"I asked for some leave, and it isn't a big deal with only a week left of classes anyway. I need all the time I can get to build a website and get all my products listed with proper SEO."
"S, E, what?"
"Search engine optimization. It's so the internet search engines find me, and I can hopefully rank higher than those fuckers that just shut me down. I bet my competitors on the app are having a big party right now. They're still on the site."
"Well then, how come—"
"Algorithm got it wrong. And they don't care enough as a corporation to check on things. I say, fuck them. I will build an education empire and keep all the money!"
I love Zoe. Nothing can get her down. Even when her high school sweetheart got caught cheating on her with the cheerleader that lived down the road from him, Zoe just said, fuck it, and dated his cousin. She got her revenge when the cousin surprised her by dropping to one knee at a picnic in thepark, and the ex saw the whole thing. He stormed off and got pulled over for a DUI later that night. Zoe turned down the cousin and has been single ever since. There are slim pickings in Downsville, and I don't know why she stays, but I'm sure glad she was there until I left.
"Maybe you should come with me to Los Angeles. I'm sure there are plenty of teaching jobs to help feed the empire."
She laid back on the bed and leaned against the pillows. "Because I love the mountains and woods here. This is my home. I don't ever want to leave."
I squeeze her hand and then dig into the chips Cole bought us. I am starting to get used to him doing things for me without the knee-jerk reaction I have to do something in return. Even though I clean the kitchen after he cooks, he doesn't seem to want anything else from me.
"I have to work tomorrow, you know. The festival starts this Friday, and everything has to be finished."
"Just point me toward some good wifi, and I'll take care of myself."
"Let me text Cole. He says his wifi isn't great here, so you'll have to go into town."
"I can't believe you are living with a hottie like that, and you aren't going to do anything about it. I mean, you're broken up with Michael, right?"
I shoot her a glare. "Of course, I'm broken up with him. I left him without so much as a goodbye kiss."
"But you didn't say the words, 'we're done'?"
"No. I think actions speak louder than words."
"Words are binding. I'd call him and end it."
"Why are we even talking about this?"
"I think he deserves closure. He wasn't a bad boyfriend. He just wasn't the one you wanted."
"Where is this coming from?"
"I don't know, it seems like you're running away."
Heat rises to my cheeks as my chest clenches. "I thought you had my back."
"I always have your back. But part of having your back means I need to say the uncomfortable things sometimes."
"How is that having my back?"
"Because it shows I care enough about you to tell you when you're screwing up."
"I'm not you, Zoe. I can't stay here my whole life."
"That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying that you left a two-year relationship without even saying goodbye. The guy had to hear it through town gossip. And if you're really leaving for good—"
"I'm really leaving for good."
"Then he deserves for you to tell him you aren't coming back."
