Page 2 of Just Another Chance

The moment I turned 18, I moved out and found my own place with a couple of girlfriends. I didn’t care how much it cost. Three years living with Randy had been more than enough and I couldn’t live in that depressing house any longer. I got a job and was able to make ends meet. Barely.

But I’m used to working hard. Nothing was ever handed to me. I went to public school, got good grades and had my eye on the local college, but it didn’t pan out. Instead, I worked various low-paying jobs while I tried to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Time flies, though, and before I knew it, I was 25 with no college diploma.

When Suzette hired me at the local flower shop two years ago, I found my calling. I’ve always been artistic and have a green thumb. Suzette, the owner of Secret Garden, taught me how to not only design arrangements, but also the ins and outs of running a small business.

And I’ve never looked back. Secret Garden is my happy place and I enjoy going to work and creating beautiful arrangements for people to help them celebrate the milestones in their lives.

When Suzette retires, my goal is to get a loan and buy the shop. At this point it’s a pipe dream because I have no idea if a bank would ever hand me the kind of money I would need. I’m hoping that she and I will be able to work out some kind of a deal for me to take over the business, but I guess only time will tell.

In the meantime, my life just changed dramatically with these two pink lines. I’m not worried or scared, though. There is no doubt in my mind that Tanner will be the best father in the world. I’m hoping he will want to marry me, and we can raise a little family together. I don’t need to live in the lap of luxury or take exotic vacations all over the world.

All I need is my man by my side.

I don’t give much thought to his money because he could be a pauper and I would still love him. Unlike Randy and my sister Kayla, dollar signs and padded bank accounts never impressed me. I’m more interested in someone’s character than what they can afford to buy. I’d rather live with the love of my life in a tiny apartment and be happy than with a wealthy jerk in a mansion and be miserable.

There’s a knock at the door and I hop off my bed and quickly make my way through my studio apartment. It costs an arm and a leg to live in New York City, so I have a tiny place, but I’ve made it cozy and welcoming. I've decorated it with lots of bright colors and have throw pillows, rugs, pictures and candles to perk up the plain white walls and worn wooden floor.

When I open the door, I’m surprised to see my sister Kayla. At 25, she’s a few years younger than me and we aren’t overly close. But she’s going to be the aunt of our baby so I’m hoping she will grow up a little more. Kayla isn’t very responsible, especially when it comes to money, and she can be very immature. She likes to “Keep Up with the Joneses” and because she thinks she needs all kinds of expensive things, she’s in some massive credit card debt.

I’m definitely simpler and my tastes aren’t nearly as extravagant as hers. And even though she’s a little superficial and too worried about what designer is on her clothing labels, I love her. She and I are both on the same page when it comes to disliking Randy and that bonds us more than anything else.

“Hey, sis,” she exclaims and waltzes inside. We both have the same dark hair and eyes, but Kayla goes to the salon every few weeks and gets caramel highlights. Mine, on the other hand, is a dark chestnut, almost a perfect match to my chocolate-colored eyes.

Kayla is dressed up like she’s going to a garden party at the ladies’ luncheon, and I glance down and look at my plain t-shirt and leggings. Her face is all made up and I barely managed to put on mascara and tinted lotion today. In my defense, though, I did have the day off work.

Oh, who am I kidding?I’m much more about easy, casual and comfortable than spending two hours getting ready before I step outside. And Tanner doesn’t seem to mind that I’m not a fashion icon in any way, shape or form.

“Hi, Kayla,” I say and close the door behind her. “What’s up?”

“Oh, you know,” she says and waves a perfectly manicured hand through the air. “I was just passing by and thought I’d stop in to say hi to my favorite person.”

She’s laying it on a little thick and I’m instantly suspicious and wonder what she wants. “Want anything to drink?” I ask and she shakes her head.

We go sit down on the couch and she eyes my apartment critically. “This place is so small, Addie. I don’t know how you don’t die of claustrophobia.”

“First, you can’t die from claustrophobia and second, it costs an arm and a leg to live in the city. This is all I can afford right now.”

She shifts, crossing her legs. “What about your boyfriend?”

I arch a brow. “What about him?”

She scrunches her face up. “He’s a freaking billionaire and you’re living in this shoe box like a poverty-stricken bum. Why doesn’t he set you up in some swank penthouse somewhere uptown?”

Her words make me bristle. I never discuss money with Tanner. Sure, he has a lot of it, and I have barely any. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to take advantage of him. “First of all, it’s his money not mine,” I remind her tartly. “And second, he isn’t a billionaire– that’s his father. Besides, I don’t want some sugar daddy. I work hard, make my own money and pay my own bills. It’s called being independent.” Something Kayla knows nothing about.

“Clearly,” she mumbles under her breath.

“At least I have a place in the city. You’re still living out in South Grove.”

My dig hits deep. I know Kayla wants to leave our hometown and move into the city, but she can’t afford it.

“I’m working on it,” she snaps. “Hopefully, I’ll have a nice place here soon enough.” Kayla quickly composes herself. “I’m sorry. I didn’t come over here to criticize you. You’re doing as well as you can on the meagre salary you make. This place is really…cozy,” she finally forces out, looking around, giving me the exact opposite impression of what she says.

I can tell– she hates it. But it’s my place and no one can tell me what to do. I can come and go as I please and decorate however I like. Despite her being so critical, I have the freedom to do as I like.

And she doesn’t.

I suppress a sigh and wonder what she wants. Kayla always has an agenda and I’m sure this time is no different than any other. “What do you need, Kayla?” I ask, cutting right to the chase.

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