* * *
After getting home from having breakfast with my parents, I ended up reading for three hours. Then I ate a light lunch, tidied up the house, read for another hour, and napped for almost two hours. Once again, it was pure bliss, but this time I had a big problem.
I had completely lost track of time.
Now, I was scrambling to get to the restaurant to meet Nick and his family, without arriving late.
My phone vibrated, but that would have to wait.
“Not now!” I ran from the closet, tossed my dress on the bed, and took off my jeans and blouse. “I’m late, I’m late, I’m late.”
After slipping into my dress, I moved quickly to the bathroom to apply a little makeup, and to quickly fuss with my hair.
My phone vibrated again, and I ignored it.
It must have been Dee sharing photos from her day with Brandon on Catalina Island. I couldn’t wait to hear about her day trip and see the pictures.
I grabbed a pair of pumps from the closet floor, slipped into them, grabbed my purse and keys, and flew out the door.
“You’re not going to be late,” I mumbled to myself.
The clock in my dashboard told me I had six minutes to get to Yanni’s Bar & Grill, my favorite Greek place. “Okay, I’m cutting it close.”
I would only be a few minutes late, no big deal.
My phone vibrated again.
There was no way I was going to check it now while I was driving. “Leave me alone!”
Why was I nervous?
“Relax.” I took a few deep breaths, like the ones Nick taught me. “Everything is going to be fine. There’s no reason to be nervous.”
Yes, there was.
Tonight, I planned to profess my love to Nick.
I had made the decision and was going for it.
He needed to know how I felt and there was no more denying it. I didn’t want to lose him over a job that didn’t make me happy after all.
I love him.
Just the thought made me smile.
Nick was a special man. I wanted to make him a priority in my life.
When I visualized my future, I saw him there.
Us.
He was right when he said people needed to have a work-life balance.
It was important and I knew that now.
My priorities had changed after meeting Nick and especially after what I had learned about my mom this morning at my parent’s house.
She hadn’t given up anything when she had me.