Page 104 of No More Heartbreakers

“I know. His father was an absentee sort, so I think Daddy goes a bit overboard sometimes trying to be a provider and protector. He doesn’t know where to stop unless you tell him.”

She reached out and took one of my hands. “You’re an adult now, darling. You can do that. You can take control of your life whenever you’re ready. And I—andDaddy—will support your choices, whatever you decide to do.”

“I thought you’d be so mad at me if I said I was moving away.”

“Mad? No. We’d be sad to see you less often. I’d miss you terribly, but I’d never stop you from going. I don’t want you to feel like I did about my acting—that I could have donemoreif I’d only been brave enough to take some risks, to leave home and see what was out there for me in the world.”

Scooting toward her on the couch, I crushed her in a hug I hoped expressed my gratitude and my distress at the thought of leaving her behind.

“Love you, Momma.” I sniffed.

“I know you do, baby. I love you, too.”

After Mom left, I checked the station’s website to see how the car accident package had turned out.

Tony had edited it for the morning news, and I had to say, the final product was powerful. Of course, I got teary again watching it.

But I also got a fresh dose of that samedo somethingfeeling that had compelled me to go to Aric’s house in the middle of the night instead of waiting for morning.

Okay, so that hadn’t turned out too well, and yes, I’d probably lost him for good. Yes, that completely sucked. I didn’t even want to explore all the ways it sucked right now.

But Mom was right. I was the only one who could determine the direction of my life. And I was no longer afraid.

I was still alive. Unlike those poor girls in that car, I still had a chance.

And wasn’t it scarier to think of a future playing it safe, never taking chances, settling for the comfort of the known quantity instead of going for it and finding out how far I could go?

I was through letting the fear control me.

Ready to take control of my own future, I picked up my phone.

First, I called Janet back and told her I couldn’t accept the main anchor job. She was clearly disappointed but said she understood.

I also asked for Sunday off. No doubt Colleen would be thrilled at another chance to anchorandto monopolize Aric’s time and attention.

Next, I dialed the news director in Nashville.

“I’m so glad you called, Heidi,” Ken Zorich said. “I’ve already interviewed several candidates, but I really liked your reel. We need to make a decision pretty soon and get someone in here in the next few weeks. How soon could you make it here for an audition?”

“I can drive up tomorrow and come in on Monday if you’d like.”

“That would be perfect. Let me notify my assistant, and she’ll get a room for you here. We’ll have dinner tomorrow night after you get to town, and then we’ll get you on the set with the male anchor on Monday morning for the audition.”

“Great. Looking forward to meeting you.” I meant every word of it.

Okay, two major life decisions handled. One to go. I dialed Aric’s number.

No answer. Well, hewasat work—maybe he was in the middle of an interview or something.

I left a message. “Hi. Listen, I know you might not be too thrilled to hear from me right now, but I really need to talk to you. Please call when you get a chance.”

My fingers wrapped around the phone were itchy and restless. How soon was too soon to try Aric’s number again?

The only thing less attractive than a girl who runs off and gets engaged hours after snogging with you against a live truck, is that same girl stalking you with phone calls every fifteen minutes.

He’d get my message and call me back when he was ready.

I showered and cleaned up my place. On the upside, a studio apartment doesn’t require much cleaning. On the downside, cleaning it doesn’t kill much time.

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