We're One: Two wrongs always make a right

Chapter One

Sia

I gaze at my list of potential clients on the computer in front of me as I chew on my fingernail, a habit I’m determined to break. Whenever I’m feeling the slightest bit stressed, the finger pops right into my mouth. Disgusting. I will stop. I’m determined. Maybe I’ll start tomorrow. Today isn’t turning out to be my favorite.

My best friend and roommate, Nikki, is sprawled out next to me on the couch, flipping through a cooking magazine, occasionally glancing at the television that’s playing The Pioneer Woman. Nikki’s been on a cooking addiction for years now, and I don’t mind one little bit because she’s been making incredible recipes. She’s determined to be the next celebrity chef to sweep the nation. She has a good chance of making her dreams come true. She’s gifted when it comes to cooking.

I need to focus on my busy schedule, and even more importantly, be grateful I’m getting so many jobs. But right now, there’s only one name on the list I can’t turn away from, and it’s like a dang flashing light that draws me right back... Zach Callahan.

“What has that scowl on your face? You know it causes wrinkles,” Nikki says, making me look over at her. She’s grinning as usual. It takes a lot to upset Nikki.

“What do you mean?” I ask, acting as innocent as possible as I try to wipe away the scowl.

“Don’t play dumb with me. We’ve known each other since grade school,” she reminds me. She’s right, it’s stupid to try to keep this from her.

I let out a sigh. “I’m meeting with a new client today.”

“Do we know this client?” I love that she uses the word we. We’ve been besties for so long, it’s inconceivable that either of us has a life outside of one another.

“Zach.”

She looks confused as she flashes through names of people we know. “I don’t recognize the name.”

“Callahan,” I finally admit as my cheeks flush.

Nikki’s eyes widen as her grin grows. “The Zach Callahan?” she demands. She doesn’t wait for me to confirm. “The man you hooked up with in Seaville many moons ago?” She tosses her magazine aside as she gives me her full attention. At least my past trauma has ripped her attention away from her beloved recipe hunting.

“Yep, that’s the one.”

She’s searching her memory as she sits up a little straighter. We tell each other everything, or nearly everything, so now that she has his full name she remembers the things I’ve desperately tried to forget over the years.

“Didn’t you tell me he was a party boy, and you wanted nothing to do with him after your wild summer together in Seaville?”

“I was so young then, only eighteen, and he was like a mythical beast emerging from the waves of the ocean. He completely swept me off of my feet, and then he was gone again.” It was the Fourth of July when he came to town. We had the beach, fireworks, bonfires, lovemaking. It was the best time of my life... until he was gone. Then it was the worst because I had to figure out how to get over him. It took far longer than I care to admit to.

“It’s all coming back to me,” Nikki says as she claps. “You two took a three AM jet ski ride in the ocean, then crashed the mayor’s barbecue because you thought it was another party. He had the mayor eating out of his hand before you ran off together. That guy was smooth.”

“I know,” I exclaim. “We also decided to drape the school mascot in glitter, then ran from the security guards and ended up sleeping on the lifeguard stand until sunrise... not that we got much sleep that night.” I squeeze my legs together as I remember what it felt like to be in Zach’s arms. He’d brought my body to life that summer, and no one has ever given me even a hint of the same feeling again. “He ruined me to all other men,” I groan.

“Oh, to be young again,” Nikki says with dreamy eyes.

“We’re twenty-seven, not exactly old,” I remind her.

She laughs. “Sometimes it feels that way. Especially when it’s been forever since I’ve had a proper make-out session.”

“Well, I was just a baby back then. The entire time with Zach was a blur of alcohol, sand, and stupid decisions. I’m grateful now that he left without a goodbye.” If only I could convince myself of this.

“How did he pop back into your life nine years later?”

“That’s the million-dollar question. He scheduled a consult on my website.”

“Does he remember you? Did he seek you out? Is he regretting leaving?”

I shake my head as I sink deeper into the cushions of the couch. “I doubt it. Like you said, it was a long time ago. I think he needs a redesign on his house, and he found me. It’s purely coincidence.”

“You could turn the job down,” Nikki points out.

“I’ve considered that, but the house is huge. If I pull this off, it would be a big boost for my business. To have someone as influential as the Callahans on my website would make me legit. I can push through adolescent feelings and do this job.” I’m not sure if I’m trying to convince her or myself.

Nikki thinks on this for a minute. “Well, remember you’re a professional. Don’t let the guy get into your head and you’ll be just fine. If he really is the party boy you’re convinced he is, then you have nothing to worry about. He won’t put the pieces together and you won’t have to talk about the past at all. Our party days in Seaville are long over,” she reminds me.

I let out another laugh. “Yeah, until we head home and run into the gang and forget we’re professional adults.” I also hate that I’m utterly forgettable. No one wants to feel unseen.

“Well, when in Rome...” she says on a chuckle.

“It’s been a while since we’ve been home. We should go for a visit. If I get this job, it pays a lot, and we’ll take a trip home and really live it up,” I tell her.

“Yes. Yes. Yes. I need some sunshine. I would’ve ditched Seattle long ago if it wasn’t for you. It rains far too much here.”

“I know, but there aren’t enough jobs back home. Our goal is to become rich and famous and retire early so we can go back home,” I remind her.

“We’re a long way off from both rich and famous,” she says.

“I’ll just take the rich part. Who needs fame?”

“Well, you sort of need fame to get the big jobs,” she points out.

I let out another sigh. “I know. At least with your new career path, you can do it from anywhere. A cooking vlog only requires a kitchen.”

She bounces in her seat. “My social media videos are gaining more followers. I might actually get to do what I love full time.”

“You’re great at cooking, and you really shine in the videos. I could watch you all day long.”

She waves her hand in the air. “You have to say that as my bestie. I really do love cooking though, and it’s so fun to have an audience. I figure why fight it since I spend hours looking at recipes and trying to figure out how to make them better. We’ve always been told if we do what we love, we’ll never truly work a day in our lives.”

“I know, that’s why I’m doing design. It’s so satisfying,” I say.

“As long as we always remember who we are, we’ll be happy. Too many people settle. I think we’ll be home within two more years. Then we can do jobs we love and still spend days at a time on the beach. I think I’ll do some shows on the beach. There’s nothing like food cooked over a fire,” Nikki says. She beams at me. “I don’t even need a kitchen for the cooking vlog. I just need some form of heat.”

“I love it. Let’s do a test run when we head back home. Campfire cooking is wonderful and having the ocean as a backdrop will draw lots of people in,” I say as I stand. It’s time to head out, as much as it scares me. I’d much rather stay right here with Nikki where I’m safe. Who says a bubble is a bad thing? Crazy people, that’s who.

“I’ll plan something now,” Nikki says as she grabs her computer.

I laugh. I’ve already lost her now that the wheels are spinning in her head. It’s one of the many reasons I love this woman so much. She’s motivated and can accomplish anything once she puts her mind to it. She inspires me to always push the limits of what I think I can do. We’re good for each other.

I say a quick goodbye after gathering my bag, and then head out of our tiny apartment. We don’t mind the small space as we love being together. We never feel crowded in the small space. I’m glad I have a forty-minute drive to Zach’s place because I need to mentally prepare myself. Focusing on the future is a good way to calm myself. That always makes me happy.

Nikki and I have been planning our lives since middle school, sitting at our desks sneaking chocolate together, trying to avoid schoolwork. We were always big dreamers. Sure, it’s taking us much longer than we’ve wanted, but we’re okay with that. We’ll get to the end of the rainbow eventually. We have perseverance and drive.

As I drive the busy roads out of Seattle I assure myself that Zach won’t recognize me. I’m in a business suit, my hair’s in a tight bun on the back of my neck, and I’m wearing my oversized glasses I don’t need, but make me look more professional. I want this job, and after this initial meeting I won’t have to spend much face-to-face time with him. I just have to send him samples. Most clients aren’t around as I’m putting a place together. It will all be fine.

I can separate my past from my present. I have to. I’m not that same na?ve little eighteen-year-old girl anymore. I’m a successful business owner, and I’ve done it all on my own. No one has handed me a thing. I’ve built this business from the ground up and this is just one more steppingstone on the path of my life.

The drive to Zach’s place takes longer than expected; I’m glad I left early. It’s still going to make me a few minutes late, which I despise. I’ll never get used to the hordes of people on the roads in this part of the country. Sure, I grew up in California, but our little secret neck of the woods was small and quiet. I don’t know what I was thinking, moving to a huge city. I’ve hated it from the moment we arrived, but we’ve been determined to stick it out, and we have so far.

I wind through the last part of the lush green hills then turn down a long driveway. When I climb the hill, the house comes into view, and I let out a gasp. It’s enormous, made of stone and wood with a huge circular driveway. This home is beyond anything I’ve ever decorated before, and my mouth waters at the thought of redesigning it.

This is my chance to prove myself, to step into the big leagues. I can’t blow this interview. I have to sell myself, have to get this job. There’s no longer an option to dwell on the past. I can and will look Zach Callahan right in the eyes and sell my services.

This thought makes me cringe just a tad. I’m selling my decorating services. That’s all. No other services will be sold or given. The slight tingle flowing through me with thoughts of servicing Zach is quickly pushed down. No. No. No. I won’t have dirty thoughts about Zach Callahan.

I don’t have time to sit in my car and give myself pep talks. I hate being late. I park, take a deep, cleansing breath, step out, and walk to the front door with confidence. I can do this. I can remain professional, composed, and focused. He’s just a client, a huge client, but still, just a client. This is simply a job. I ring the doorbell and wait for what comes next.