Page 105 of Lady and the Camp
Marcy promised she’d tell me if he got the Colorado job. I could call him myself—I had his number, which I hadn’t brought myself to delete. Not calling felt like a boundary that needed to remain in place. At least for now.
A mere few days later, I crammed my remaining belongings into my car. I handed over the keys to my subleaser, and closed the door on another chapter of my life.
Weirdly, I was headed to the airport. I’d fetch Marcy and we’d start our next chapter, a two-thousand-mile trek across the country. Coincidentally, with a direct path through Colorado.
If the stars aligned, well, I was open to just about anything.
I texted Marcy after I parked at LAX.
Me:Let me know when you land. I’m in short-term parking.
A few minutes later she responded.
Marcy:Okay! Head to Delta. You can’t leave a girl to wander the parking lot for you. I’ll meet you outside.
I noted the location and made my way to the arrivals by her airline.
The day was a scorcher. Welcome to L.A. in the summer. I already missed Michigan. Including the gross humidity, which I’d adjusted my skincare routine to accommodate.
People swarmed past, the faces a blur. No sign of Marcy. Maybe I was in the wrong spot.
I turned and ran headlong into a body.
“Uf! I’m sorry I—” My words vanished. I couldn't believe my eyes.
“Hudson.”
“Lucas.” His name came as a disbelieving whisper. “What…how…”
“Change of plans.” He shouldered a backpack. “I packed light. I promise.”
This didn't make sense. “You’re here.”
“I couldn’t stand being anywhere else. Without you.”
A heady sensation hit all at once. “But I’m leaving.”
“I know. I want to go where you go. I hear it’s back to Michigan, at least for now.”
I could hardly believe Lucas stood here in front of me. Seeing him outside of his woodland element in full California sun must have been like seeing me land in camp in my resort wear.
My thoughts raced. “But…Colorado. What happened? With the job?” Oh, right. It must have been bad news if he was here.
“I told them I wasn’t ready,” he said.
“Lucas—”
“Hear me out. When I looked at booking my tickets for the in-person interview, it struck me how much my life would change. New job, new friends, new state, new expenses. But it wasn’t those things that scared me. It was the thought of never seeing you again. Of making a commitment I couldn’t easily reverse when I wasn’t sure I even wanted it anymore.”
How could he not want the job? “I don’t understand.”
“I didn’t take the job because I didn’t want to move my entire life for an unknown. Not without exploring first. Did you know I’ve never even been to Colorado?”
“I heard something about that. From Marcy. It was Marcy who told me.”
He shook his head, laughing. “Even if I went for a day ahead of the interview, it wasn’t enough time to consider everything I’ve got in my head. They were understanding, by the way. In fact, they said to keep them top of mind if my plans changed. So there’s always another chance.”
He reached for my hands. His grasp came cool and firm. “I’m changed because of you, Hudson. I had a plan, but I was scared to act on it. Now I’m not afraid of the future. I want you in it, whatever that looks like. Even if it’s not Colorado. Even if it’s not Michigan. I’ll go anywhere. Getting a chance at that job showed me I have options.”
