Chapter 21
Back in Austen Heights, Lizzy and I sat on the sofa in our cozy little apartment, each of us with an individual-sized ice cream container. Our place was small, but familiar, comfortable, and for the most part I'd regained my composure.
“I don’t understand. I promise I wouldn’t have tried to get you two back together if I’d known.” Lizzy shook her head. “That Darcy, he makes me so mad…”
“Well, maybe it could have worked if he weren’t leaving the country.
But I can’t play the maybe game anymore.
We’re either together or we’re not.” I frowned at the eggnog ice cream in front of me.
“I really don’t need this. What I need is to move on with my life, which means I have something to tell you. ”
“You have something to tell me?” Lizzy scooted closer, concern in her eyes.
“I’m going to look for a teaching position outside of Austen Heights.
Nothing has opened up here, and though I love photography, it’s not my calling in life.
” I looked out the window, where the first snow of the season dusted the ground.
“You said if I want something to happen, I need to make it happen.”
Lizzy slowly nodded. “Mom’s going to have a heart attack.”
“Yeah.” A tiny grin spread across my lips. “But she’s pretty tough.”
Lizzy shrugged. “And so are you, Jane.”
“I know.” I took a slow breath, allowing the scents of our apartment, pine, cinnamon, and vanilla, to sink into my soul. Then I stood and tossed the ice cream container into the trash. My future would be whatever I made it into.
Keep reading for a sneak peek of book 2, Charlotte's Story or order it HERE.
Follow the series to read Charles's book later and see if he can correct the biggest mistake of his life.