Chapter 28
“Tad, how’s it going, man?” I answer, resting the mobile phone between my shoulder and jaw so I can pick up my takeout container and head for the couch.
“Living the dream,” he drawls. In the background, the unmistakable sound of a fax machine groans to life.
Sitting, I deposit my dinner on the table and swat Taylor’s hand away from the loaded fries. Then I pluck one up for myself. “I appreciate you staying late to get this report for me,” I tell my friend.
“Wait, this is a work call?” Taylor whines. “I want to watch Clueless, enough with work already.”
“I still have my normal job duties on top of this acquisition,” I tell her. “When do you expect me to do it all?”
She rolls her eyes.
“Go watch Clueless in the guest room.” I had planned to make that my office when I rented the two-bedroom apartment, but Taylor had other plans.
“The VCR is out here.”
“Then take it with you.”
Tad laughs, pulling my attention back to our call. “Sorry,” I mumble into the phone.
“How’s life with a little sister for a roommate again? Getting along?”
“Depends on the day.”
Taylor sticks her tongue out at me as she balances the VCR in her arms and waddles towards her room. As soon as she’s out of sight, I call Charlie up on the couch and feed him a fry.
I hear the shuffle of papers, then Tad says, “Alright, the report is in and I’ve got good news for you.” More shuffling. “The water and sewage studies are done, and there are no concerns with putting the hotel in.”
“Really?” My surprise is genuine. I really thought those would be harder to get cleared than the environmental impact study that’s supposed to come in next week.
“Municipal capacity at the plants looks good on both fronts, and obviously your offer to take financial responsibility for any pipe upgrades and pump stations was given the stamp of approval without discord.”
I had to talk my father into that one. But in the end, I managed to show that the forecasted profit far outweighed the potential cost. Because if this hotel is happening, the town does not deserve to pay for the infrastructure’s added costs.
“I think you’ve really got this in the bag,” Tad tells me.
My jaw tenses, a reaction I can’t quite explain. “It looks that way, doesn’t it?”
“Now? It does. I originally thought Richard sent you on a wild goose chase, guess you proved me wrong. Anyway, I’m getting the hell out of this office for the night. But congrats, man. If you get a weekend to come back to the city, we’ll head to your old brewery for a drink to celebrate.”
I agree, thank him again, and then end the call with a heavy disappointment settling over me. Why does it feel so bad to have this in the bag? It’s what I came here to do.
Sighing, I fling another fry towards my dog then close the styrofoam container and push it away. I’ve lost my appetite in the last few minutes. And I don’t want to look at the papers sitting in a neat stack on the corner of the coffee table.
“I’m going out,” I shout to Taylor, standing and moving to collect the leash from its hooks by the door. “I’m taking Charlie on a walk.”
I don’t wait for her response.
The door rattles as I slam it behind me, and I cringe when Charlie looks up at me with concern. “Sorry, bud.” I scratch behind his ear then clip the leash to his collar.
We head downstairs and out into the cool night. I probably should have grabbed a jacket, but I do like the way the crisp air burns my lungs as I take in a deep breath.
If anything, it pulls me from the nagging reminder in my mind. The one telling me that I’m not doing what I love, and blurring into images of what could be. Images that all seem to revolve around Ellicottville.
The problem is—none of the images actually relate to a job. I have no clue what I would do here if I stayed. Just that this news means maybe I could, for a little bit longer.
With no plan, I follow the streetlights down Monroe, passing in and out of the bright orbs that shine in hazy circles onto the sidewalk.
It doesn’t take long for me to realize where my feet are carrying me.
Turning right, I look up and get my first glimpse at Lucy’s house in the distance. It calls to me, a beacon on the horizon.
I wonder what she would think if I simply showed up on her front steps on a Thursday night, though. If it would be enough to finally send her fleeing from this tentative, budding thing we have.
If not, the news I received tonight might.
You’ve really got this in the bag.
I push Tad’s words aside.
“What do you think, Charlie, do we see if Lucy is home?” I ask. He trots along at my side, the leather leash hanging loosely between us. But I swear at the mention of her name, his ears perk up.
As we approach, I take a closer look at the quaint yellow home. It looks even paler in the moonlight, or maybe it’s because of how the inside is lit up in the most inviting way.
My eyes scan the first-floor windows, searching for any indication I might be interrupting something.
But save for the lights being on, nothing else hints at signs of life.
I stop at the end of her walkway and tip my head back to look at the second floor next.
It’s then I notice movement, a shadow amongst the glow coming from the bay window.
I catch sight of dark hair and familiar, paint-splattered overalls. My once steady heart rate hitches.
She’s home.