Chapter 43
Chapter Forty-Three
Nori
Dove was shocked when she got back from the bathroom. That’s putting her reaction mildly. And she had some choice words for Lou. But I fulfilled every word of my contract, so there’s nothing anyone at Swipe Rite can do about the fact that I didn’t choose a man for my final match.
To be honest, I think Dove might be kind of glad Rex Hamilton is still on the market. Either way, she asked me to stick around the clubhouse until the video was captioned and posted. This was in case there was some kind of glitch and we had to record a second take. I was a little worried I’d have to say that speech again. I knew I’d probably cry. But that’s all right. Tears are fine.
It’s okay to not be okay .
In the end, the rest of the promo team were all super-sweet and supportive, especially considering I said no to extending their campaign. After all, nobody wants to see me date myself for the next month.
Not even me.
By the time I return to The Serendipity, I’m completely exhausted. Inside and out. I’m also dehydrated from square dancing. So I head to the kitchen to down an entire Gatorade. My next order of business will be to change out of these clothes and wipe off all this extra makeup. As of today, I am officially done pretending to be something I’m not.
The truth is, who and what I am is constantly changing.
Sometimes I’m strong. Sometimes I’m weak. I can be independent, but I also need people every once in a while. (Okay, every lot in a while.) I’m mostly kind and generous, but a jealous streak pops up on occasion.
I make a mean lavender latte, and I’m a really good manager, but my bike skills are lacking, and I still don’t know how to swim. I have failed. More than a couple of times. And I will almost certainly fail again. But in the process, I’ll be learning and growing and evolving into the Nori I want to be.
The funny thing is, after I’ve become that version of myself, I’ll probably change again. And if I’m really lucky, I’ll get to keep doing that for another seventy years or so.
I’m tossing the empty Gatorade in our recycling can when my phone pings in my bag.
Jemma
I saw the video. Interesting choice. I’m not sure how the rest of the team feels, but I’m optimistic about the campaign results.
Since you did end up fulfilling your end of the contract, Swipe Rite will auto-deposit the balance we owe you first thing tomorrow. Of course, the bonus money is off the table. And we won’t be asking you to be our Featured Single in the Summer of Love promotion.
I puff out a laugh.
Me
Deal. And thank you, Jemma.
Jemma
You’re welcome. And I know you’re fine on your own, but I do hope you find your match someday.
This pulls a deep sigh out of me. Maybe I’ll find the person who wants to do all this failing and learning with me. Or I guess I should say maybe I’ll find someone who’s capable of doing that. Because I do think Cash wanted to be that man. He just couldn’t be. And I get that. He’s still growing and evolving too.
My heart squeezes when I think about how close we came to being right for each other, not to mention how far away he’s going to be from me. Soon. I can’t imagine getting over him. Ever. So the best I can do for now is wash my face, put on pajamas, and watch Breaking Dawn for the millionth time.
On my way to the bathroom, I leave all the lights off on purpose. The last thing I need is the ghost of Cash Briggs being all romantic in the mirror. I already know he’ll be in my dreams, which is going to make moving on hard enough.
Moonlight pours through my bedroom window, but the space is still mostly in shadow. So I almost miss what’s on the counter next to my sink. A dry-erase marker.
That’s not mine .
A shiver runs up my spine, and I flip the switch, flooding the bathroom with light. Across the mirror, scrawled in big bold letters, are four words:
I CHOOSE YOU TOO .
Gah!
My heart bolts into my throat, and I fumble for my phone.
Me
Where are you?
Cash
Courtyard. I’ve been waiting for you. Are you home? I’ll come up to you right now.
Me
No. You stay there.
I almost break a leg running down the stairs in cowboy boots.