25. Isabella
Thecrisp morning air mingled with the aroma of fresh coffee as we found our spot in the bustling brunch café, a well-earned treat after the whirlwind of the MirageGuild’s grand opening. As we settled into the cozy corner, the chatter and clink of dishes surrounded us, a comforting backdrop to our gathering. The girls were already animatedly discussing the night before, their excitement palpable. Yet, amidst the laughter and lively conversation, I found my thoughts wandering, detached from the celebration unfolding around me.
Thegirls buzzed with energy, rehashing each detail of the MirageGuild’s grand opening, their voices blending into the background noise of the brunch spot. Natalia was gesturing broadly, recounting a particularly daring performance, while Jessie nodded, her laughter filling our corner of the café. I should have been right there with them, basking in the afterglow of our triumph, yet I found myself disengaged, my focus drifting.
Ihalf-heartedly pushed around the hollandaise sauce on my plate, the rich, creamy texture suddenly unappealing. Last night should have been purely a cause for celebration, the culmination of our hard work and daring vision. And it was, to everyone else. But for me, it also marked something much more personal—a final chapter with Max.
“That event was a game-changer,” Emma enthused, sipping her iced latte. “I’ve never seen anything quite like it. The energy, the décor . . . it was all so spot-on. “Iz, I’m serious, you need to consider event planning as your career. You thought of everything.”
Jessie, eyes sparkling with a mixture of pride and inspiration, nodded in agreement. “Truly, when Emma started creating custom events for the PrismSociety, our members loved it.”
“Yeah, and I definitely don’t have time to do both with my design work. Honestly, I’d love to offload the events to someone else,” Emma said, her eyes twinkling.
Themention of passing the baton jolted me from my reverie. I blinked, focusing back on the conversation as Emma’s gaze settled on me expectantly.
“Really?” I asked. “You think there’s enough there to create something from?”
“My work on the PrismSociety had me creating my own design firm that’s got a six-month-long waitlist for just a CAD sketch,” Emma said.
Ihad been craving direction the last few months, hell the last few years. Was this the direction I was meant to go in?
“Stop overthinking it, Iz,” Natalia’s voice cut in. She knew my reactions better than anyone.
“You’re right,” I said with a laugh, “Okay, yeah, I actually think that would be really fun. I know you guys are wanting to expand even more so I could help with those grand openings, club events, VIP member events . . .” My voice trailed off as my brain went into overdrive.
Iwas sick of floundering and waiting for overly obvious signs of what to do. It might not be the perfect decision, the best decision, the forever decision, but I’d be good at it. I wanted to be the person who allowed myself to make a decision without the full ten-year plan mapped out right along with it.
“Now that the club’s success is out of the way, when are we celebrating you and Max officially becoming a thing?” Emma teased, a sly grin spreading across her face.
“Wait, you all knew about Max and me?” I blurted out, the revelation catching me completely off guard. A flush of embarrassment warmed my cheeks as I realized our attempts at secrecy might not have been as successful as I thought. “HereI was thinking we were being sneaky.”
Laughterbubbled around the table, their knowing looks suddenly making sense. “Izzy, it was the worst-kept secret,” Jessie said with a chuckle. “Seriously, anyone paying even a little bit of attention could see what was happening between you two.”
Myembarrassment morphed into a mix of amusement and resignation. So much for discretion. I let out a small sigh, the weight of last night pressing down on me. “Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news . . . Max and I . . . we decided to end things,” I admitted, the words tasting bitter as they left my mouth.
Silenceenveloped our little corner of the café, their playful smiles fading into looks of surprise and concern.
“End things? I thought you guys were cute together,” Natalia said, her brows knitting together in confusion.
Imanaged a small, resigned smile. “Yeah, well, it was his call. I guess . . . it’s for the best. We’re at different places in our lives, you know? There’s an age difference and . . .”
Jessiereached across the table, her touch reassuring. “Izzy, don’t let something like age dictate your happiness. What matters is how you feel about each other.”
Natalialeaned in, her gaze earnest. “Iz, I know you. And if I can be honest, sometimes it feels like you’re the one holding yourself back, convincing yourself someone’s not right for you even when they’re standing right there.”
Emmanodded, her voice gentle. “It’s tough, isn’t it? We grow up with all these voices telling us how our lives should unfold. Sometimes, without even realizing it, we start believing those voices more than our own desires. I mean, look at me: I left what I thought was my dream job for something completely different. Scary, yes, but so worth it.”
Theirwords, a blend of challenge and support, forced me to confront my own barriers. WasI the one pushing Max away, veiled under the guise of protecting myself from potential judgment? Their insights, wrapped in layers of friendship and understanding, left me pondering the choices I had made—and the ones still before me.