Chapter 23 Kit
Selling property isn’t a quick thing. We’d sign one stack of papers, then wait days or weeks for the next, and then do it all again.
When Veronica told me the final papers were ready to be signed, I felt very ready for this process to be over.
I was shocked to find out our land deal was done in what everyone considered to be an extremely short amount of time.
Veronica met Aunt Rita and me at the bank in Atlanta. We signed all the papers, then a banker told us that the money had been wired to our accounts.
Aunt Rita clapped and gave me a hug. With tears in her eyes, Aunt Rita said, “Kit, thank you. This is going to change everything for us. I feel so relieved.”
“Me too,” I said, squeezing Aunt Rita closer. “Thank you for being so supportive as I worked through everything.”
Aunt Rita had to work the next day, and I’d planned to stay in Atlanta to meet William.
Aunt Rita took the car and headed back to Creekstone, but Veronica and I decided to visit a nearby brewery to celebrate.
Veronica had ordered us a flight of beers and a giant pretzel with cheese.
We decided to take advantage of the spring weather, and we sat outside on the patio.
Veronica pulled her stylish shades out of her oversized purse.
I was completely demolishing the pretzel when Veronica said, “So, can I just say I am relieved to see how well you’re taking this? I thought this would be a much more emotional day for you.”
“Is that why you got me an emotional support pretzel?” I asked, then stuffed a huge chunk of pretzel in my mouth before the cheese could drip on my shirt.
“Exactly,” Veronica said, sipping her amber beer.
“Maybe the pretzel is just super effective,” I said after washing the pretzel down with some beer.
“Really? You’re feeling okay about selling the land?” Veronica asked.
I sat back in my chair with my beer in my hand.
“You know, I really do. For the first time in a long time, I feel like a whole stack of worries have just blown away in the wind. I can pay off the debt. Aunt Rita will be able to retire early, and I think William’s company and the mayor have a pretty good plan for the town. ”
“So, things with William are still going well?” Veronica asked. Her sunglasses had slipped down her nose slightly, and she was peering at me over the top of them. “The art gallery was amazing. That doesn’t seem like something you do for someone unless you’re really into them.”
I nodded. “I think we’re in love.”
Veronica sprung forward and slammed her beer glass down on the table. “Are you two already saying the L-word?”
I nodded. I felt my face turn pink.
“This is a big fucking deal! You waited almost a year before you even considered saying that to Matt,” Veronica said, still stunned. “You and William haven’t even dated long enough for the moon to make one full orbit around the earth, and you two are already telling each other I love you.”
“Okay, it’s been longer than one lunar cycle,” I said, rolling my eyes. “And I don’t know if it makes sense to compare Matt to William. Being with William doesn’t feel anything like it did with Matt.”
Veronica asked, “Um, elephant in the room. Do you think William will stay in Creekstone long-term?”
I bit the inside corner of my mouth. “No, I don’t think he will.”
Veronica softened her voice, and she said, “Have you told him how you feel about long-distance relationships?”
I nodded. “We talked about it a few days ago. William is accepting a new job, and he’ll have to move to Atlanta full-time relatively soon.”
“Would you move? For William?” Veronica tried to hide the surprise in her voice by taking a bite of the warm pretzel.
I looked at Veronica and shielded my eyes from the sun. “We’re actually going to look at places this week while I’m in Atlanta.”
“Are you two going to move in together? Or are you looking for separate apartments?” Veronica asked, trying to find some sliver of a timeline she could approve of.
I shook my head, looking down at the beer glasses on the table. “I mean, we’re practically live together now. It seems silly for me to get my own place.”
Veronica scoffed. “Kit, you’ve been saying for years that you love living in Creekstone and that it’s what you’ve always wanted.
You wouldn’t even consider moving before.
And now you’ve been dating William for a month, and you’re saying you’re in love and you’re going to give up your job and leave Creekstone for him. ”
“I didn’t say that,” I said looking ahead to avoid the sun in my eyes. “I just said…”
“Kit,” Veronica cut me off. “You’re moving too fast.”
I shook my head. “I don’t think we are. We’re in a good place as a couple. I would rather move to stay near him than try to be in a long-distance relationship.”
“Do you even know how he feels about marriage? Having kids?” Veronica said with an exasperated sigh. “Does he have a history of cheating? Have you met anyone in his family? Any of his friends?”
“Veronica, come on,” I said. “I have time to learn these things. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll move back to Creekstone, or I’ll figure it out.”
“It’s always fun in the beginning, Kit, but that’s a huge sacrifice for someone you really don’t know,” Veronica said, crossing her arms and leaning back in her chair. “It just seems like you’ve changed your mind about a lot of things since you met William.” ?
“Veronica,” I said with a warning tone.
“Kit, I’m just worried about you. What happened to being more assertive and not just going along with what other people want you to do?”
“It seems like you’re only okay with me doing that when you approve of my decisions,” I said.
Veronica’s jaw dropped. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Come on, Veronica.” I rolled my eyes. “I’ve seen your looks and the things you mutter under your breath. You say you’re being supportive, but you’re being judgmental. You still think I am going to get back with Matt, and I’m not.”
“That’s not fair,” Veronica pushed back. “I’ve never said I think you should get back with Matt.”
“Veronica, I know you don’t get what’s going on with William and me. It’s not the same as Matt and me. It’s not like you and Gus. We aren’t college sweethearts. I’m not on some traditional cookie-cutter timeline with William. So, it might look wrong to you, but it feels good to me.”
Veronica and I sat silently for a few minutes.
We had fought once during college, and we’d never really argued again.
I always let Veronica say what she wanted without calling her out, even if it bothered me.
I felt like I had to because I didn’t really have anyone else, but it was different now. I had William.
Veronica and I sat in silence until she finally spoke.
She looked down at the floor and said, “I’m sorry if I was out of line.
I just really loved having the old, happy Kit back, and the idea that you might get hurt again made me worry.
But you’re right—I don’t need to add my commentary.
No matter what happens, I’m here for you. ”
“Thank you,” I said turning to Veronica.
She smiled and crossed her arms, “Besides, you moving closer to me in Atlanta is a win.”
I gave Veronica a hug, and she squeezed me extra tight. After we left the brewery, I went with Veronica to pick up Preston from her mother-in-law’s house, then she dropped me off at the hotel where William was staying.
When I got up to the room, William was already upstairs. He gave me a quick kiss on the lips. I went into the bedroom to kick off my shoes, then used the bathroom.
When I came out, William was sitting on the sofa smiling. “Congratulations on the sale of your land!”
I laughed and collapsed onto the sofa next to him.
I tucked my head into the crook of his chest and bicep.
I could smell his warm, musky scent. I looked up at him and said, “Thanks, I’ve checked my balance on my banking app like five times.
My account balance usually has a three-figure balance, so it’s a shock to see so much money. It’s unbelievable.”
William chuckled. “Hey, tonight Charles is showing a few houses to Meredith and Addison. They’re thinking about buying in Atlanta since Meredith works out of the Atlanta office so often.
Addison says she’s tired of New York. Charles suggested I come along to get a feel for the market. Would you like to do that?”
“Sure,” I said. “Were you thinking of buying? I guess I just assumed you were going to rent.”
William tilted his head back and forth like he was weighing an alternative. “Well, you know my business is essentially property investment, so I try to avoid renting when possible.”
“Oh,” I said, my eyebrows raised. “That makes sense, but you rented in Creekstone?”
“Well, there were no properties to buy. Only rentals, and I wanted to be in the town,” he said. “And looked how perfectly that worked out.”
William and I got dressed so we could go out to dinner after we looked at houses. I didn’t want to admit that I felt intimidated going to look at houses with Meredith, Addison, and Charles, but William seemed to think it would be helpful.
We drove to the first house. It was a 1930s bungalow tucked away on a quiet street in midtown. The house was small, white, and quaint. The garden was in full bloom, giving the house even more curb appeal. We parked on the street behind a Mercedes and an Audi.
“What do you think?” William asked.
“It’s very cute,” I said as I followed him up the pathway and through the front door. Charles was standing in the front room with Meredith. When he saw me, his eyes went wide, “Well, hello, Kit. I didn’t realize you were in town with William or that he’d be bringing you to look at property.