Page 103 of One Foggy Christmas
Despite my ‘no regrets’ policy that I keep reminding myself, doubts still creep in.
Did I try hard enough to love Nash back?
Did I give up too easily?
Did I break him?
Those questions plagued me at first, but now that it’s been three months and things are final, I feel like I’ll finally be able to move on with my new life.
At least, IhopeI’ll be able to.
As the car pulls away, I glance back at the house that was an important part of the life we’d begun to build together. The house that was once my home.
The warm glow from the porch lights is the last thing I see as we drive off.
NASH
“You can’t sellyour company.” Lindy folds her arms, a severe expression lining her brows.
“Why not?” I dig inside a grocery bag, pulling out a box of noodles.
“Because it’syours.”
“Exactly. It’s mine, so I can do whatever I want with it, and I want to sell it.”
Her eyes follow me to a cupboard where I put away a few items. “Superior Health is your whole life. It’s all you have now. Why would you want to get rid of it?”
Because it reminds me of Sadie.
Because it doesn’t give me joy anymore.
Because I need to start fresh with a new life.
“Going public and selling the company was always the plan.”
“But after you sell it, what will you do?”
“I don’t know.” I lift my shoulders. “Maybe move somewhere different. Travel the world.” I smile, trying to be as convincing as possible. “It’s going to be great. I can do whatever I want.”
But my heart knowsnoneof this is what I want.
SADIE
“I swearI’ve seen my Syracuse cap and gown somewhere in my closet.” I hop up from my spot on the living room floor and head for the stairs.
“That would be great if you still have yours,” Annie says. “Then I wouldn’t have to buy one for graduation.”
“Maybe you want your own,” my mom tells Annie as I climb the steps.
“I’ll just see if I can find mine.”
I rush to my bedroom closet, flipping on the lights. I swipe through hanging clothes until I’m sure the gown isn’t there. Then I move to the boxes. The first one I open is nothing but books. It takes all my effort to push that heavy one aside to get to the others behind it.
I peel back the packaging tape and open the next box. Laying on top is a framed picture of Nash and me, wearing fancy clothes at some ceremony. He’s looking at me with the most adoring eyes imaginable. I trace the edges of his face, feeling nostalgic, then gaze over my beaming smile as I point to an award I’m holding. I pick up the frame, trying to get a closer look so I can read what the award was for, but I notice the actual certificate in the box directly under the frame.
Staffing Industry Magazine: Forty Under Forty. Presented to Sadie Carter.
I know that magazine. It’s one of the leading magazines in the healthcare staffing industry. Every year, they choose forty outstanding people under forty who have made an impact in the business. They’re usually young, ambitious, and successful.
