Chapter 26
twenty-six
. . .
Gracie
“So you like the apartment?” Johnny asked from the other side of our Zoom call. “It’s in a great neighborhood. Fully furnished. Walking distance to the office.”
“I love it. It’s perfect,” I said.
He’d sent me over a listing for an apartment that the company had sublet for me for the first three months after I arrived.
It belonged to a client he’d done work for in Los Angeles, and she had several homes, and apparently she never used her Manhattan apartment.
So she’d offered to rent it to J&J for three months, and she’d consider extending the lease at that time.
Seeing as I didn’t even know where I wanted to live there, I was thrilled that he’d come up with a reasonable solution. I had three months to figure out where I’d rent permanently after that.
And this was the best area possible, according to Johnny.
He’d grown up in New York, and then moved to Los Angeles to open J&J Interiors with his cousin Jenna before moving back to the Big Apple to focus on that office.
“Are you ready for this move? The countdown is on. Three weeks to go. Everything is falling into place.” He smiled and leaned back in his chair.
“I posted all those photos that you sent me of the Chadwick home on the website, so clients could see your recent work. That project was truly spectacular, darling.”
Johnny was the most exuberant, enthusiastic person on the planet. He always dressed to the nines in his designer suits, and his personality was larger than life. He’d been the most amazing mentor to me when I’d started at the firm, and we’d formed a close friendship.
“Yes. It was a great project to dip my toes back into design. The budget was the largest I’ve worked with, and they really gave me creative control for all the interior furnishings, which was wonderful.”
“Well, we’ve gotten so many messages about the design.
You really nailed it. It was very unique.
Very you,” he said. “And that’s what you bring to the table.
This very special design aesthetic, along with the ability to know what your clients want, and then to be able to give it to them.
It’s a gift. And I’m so thrilled to have you back at the firm, and we’re going to be in New York City together. It doesn’t get any better.”
“It really doesn’t,” I said, but it felt forced. “But I’m sure I’ll be doing a lot more modern, contemporary designs when I get to New York.”
“Yes. It’s a different vibe here for sure.
I had to pivot a bit from what I was used to out west. The sort of organic, boho vibe was popular there, and it’s darker and moodier here for the most part.
You’ll get your occasional client who wants a European vibe, or a very traditional aesthetic—but modern minimalist is a popular trend on the East Coast right now.
” He chuckled. “I believe in you. You’re a very talented woman. ”
“Thank you, Johnny. I’m so honored that you trust me to work for you.” I sighed. I was thrilled about this next adventure, but it was a weird mix of emotions for me. I didn’t realize that I could be excited about something while dreading it at the same time.
How could I feel such strong feelings that completely conflicted with one another?
“What am I picking up on?” he asked, leaning forward now. “Is there hesitation in your voice?”
“What? No. Of course not. I couldn’t be more excited.
This is the opportunity of a lifetime. And it means the world to me that you believe in me and that you want me back.
And at the New York office. It’s an amazing opportunity.
Especially after the way I left the first time.
” My words were strained, my stomach in knots every time I thought about leaving.
“The way that you left?” He chuckled. “You gave me a month’s notice, you apologized profusely, you made sure all of your clients’ needs were met before you left, and you took a shot at love, darling.
Mind you, he was a wanker, but you needed to find that out for yourself.
I believe it’s all part of being a creative individual.
Look at me: I’ve been in love three times in the last four months. ”
Now it was my turn to laugh. “You do have all the big feelings, don’t you?”
“Always. And I wouldn’t change a thing. So tell me, are we worried about leaving the big teddy bear?
I know how close you two are. And you’ve been living there and working together since you left Paris.
I’m sure it will be hard to leave your bestie again.
And he is one beautiful man, isn’t he?” He clasped his hands together and rested his chin there.
“He’s the best.” I shook my head, blinking several times, because even thinking about leaving Cutler made me emotional. “But he knows I’m leaving and he supports me.”
His mouth dropped open, eyes wide. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing. I just said that he supports me.”
“It’s in your eyes, darling. Oh boy.” He fanned his face. “You took a trip to Dicktopia, didn’t you? You went to Pleasuretown with your best friend, and you liked it. I mean, who could blame you after your last lover. Gabriel is what I like to refer to as a cockissist.”
“A what?” I asked over my laughter.
“A cocky-narcissist. I can spot them a mile away. He was arrogant. Wealthy. Self-focused. I’m sure the sex was terrible.”
“You aren’t wrong.”
“There you go. So you went back to the small town that probably felt like home and you fell into the big, strong arms of the handsome bear who’s loved you your entire life.
Of course you’d want to experience the good life.
That man is all man. All. Man.” He raised a brow.
“But now things are…complicated? We’re in a gray area? ”
“Have you ever considered writing a romance book? You’ve got quite the imagination.”
“If I wasn’t so busy managing this business, I would definitely write erotica. I love me a sexy alpha.” He wriggled his eyebrows.
“Don’t we all.” I smirked. “But I’m fine. He’s fine. Everything is fine.”
“He certainly is.”
I covered my mouth with my hand to try to slow my laughter. “I just mean that we’ll figure it out. It’ll all be okay. We’ll just need to find our new normal. It’s been really nice here, and I’ve needed this. But I’m ready to take on this next challenge. You can count on me.”
His gaze softened, and I saw the empathy there.
“You’re always so hard on yourself, Gracie.
Listen to me. You come to New York, and I’ll be here guiding you.
We have a great team in place as well. You design your ass off for a few months and you live in that gorgeous apartment, and you have your Carrie Bradshaw moment, living in the most amazing city in the world.
And if it doesn’t make you happy, and you see something different for yourself, I am the first person who will support you.
You know that, right? No one is ever stuck, darling.
Not at J&J Interiors. I will keep you for as long as you want to be here.
But I’ve always known that you’ll branch off on your own someday.
It’s what the most talented people do. Look at me? ”
I couldn’t hide the smile on my face, because I was very lucky to have a mentor like Johnny. I also knew that I needed to do this.
I needed to stand on my own two feet after losing my stride for a while.
Being in Blue Sky Bay, being with Cutler—it was a safety net.
He had always been my safe place.
And I needed to prove that I could handle challenges.
I could face my fears.
Paris had been a huge setback for me, both in my career and emotionally. I’d lost my confidence, my mojo. I’d doubted myself more than I wanted to even admit.
And I desperately needed to reclaim that on my own.
To prove that I was still that girl who could do whatever she set her mind to.
I would regret it if I let this opportunity go because I was afraid of failing.
Because I was afraid of leaving Cutler.
“Love you, Johnny. Thank you for everything.”
“I’ll see you soon, darling. We’ll be sipping martinis and swapping fabric swatches in no time.”
“This is amazing,” I said as we walked through downtown toward the town square.
I’d never been in Blue Sky Bay at the start of fall, and to say that this small town rose to the occasion was a massive understatement.
Tonight was the grand opening of the fall festival, and the entire downtown along Bay Avenue was decorated with hay bales and pumpkins, with corn stalks wrapped around every light post. Every store window was decked out, and it was so festive and fun.
But the town square at the center of everything was where they’d put the pumpkin patch, and the place had been completely transformed.
Normally the square had a large grassy area where people sat and had picnics.
They’d set off the fireworks for the big Fourth of July event here as well.
It was across from the container park, so everyone could go back and forth between the two.
“They go all out, right?” Cutler said as his large hand covered mine.
My gaze moved around at the maze of hay bales and pumpkins and gourds. Carnival games had been set up around the perimeter, and music played through the speakers downtown.
“They really do. I knew they went all out at Christmastime, but I’ve never been here at the end of September.”
He smiled down at me, and I loved how proud he was of the town that he lived in. He’d felt the same way about Magnolia Falls, the small town where he’d grown up. But I remembered him telling me back in college that he wanted to expand his father’s business someday and move to Blue Sky Bay.
And Cutler Heart was a man of his word. He always did what he said he was going to do.
I loved that about him.
“Gracie, Cutler,” a familiar voice called out, and we both turned to see Shana and Billy Peterson walking toward us.
“Hey, how are you guys?” I asked as I gave them both a hug, and Cutler greeted them as well.
“I mean, look how relaxed I look.” Shana motioned to her face and laughed. “We’re so happy in the new home. Truly, you both exceeded our wildest dreams.”
“We could never thank you enough for what you did for us,” Billy said, looking between us. “You turned that fixer-upper into our dream home.”
“That’s so nice of you to say.” Cutler clapped Billy on the shoulder, and I couldn’t help but smile at the overwhelming pride I felt. The reveal had been beyond what I could have imagined. Shana had cried multiple times, which in turn had made me cry.
Creating a home for clients was the best job in the world.
It was about bringing their vision to life, in a place that they wanted to grow old in.
How do you beat that?
“I’m so happy you love it.” I sighed. “It’s the best compliment ever.”
“You two make quite a team,” Shana said. “Too bad you aren’t sticking around, Gracie. I think you could make a real mark on this town with your talent.” She started blinking rapidly, and her husband laughed as he wrapped an arm around her.
“She gets this way pretty much every day when we wake up in the morning,” he said. “This was a long time coming, and having a place for our boys to call home means everything to us.”
“Speaking of our rugrats, we should probably go find them.” Shana hugged me one more time.
I waved and then turned to look at Cutler as I blew out a big breath. “That was sweet of them to say.”
“You’re more talented than you know, Jeege. Let that sink in,” he said, stroking the hair away from my face. “Making dreams come true for people is a gift.”
“She was talking to you too.” I arched a brow. It was getting cooler with each passing day, and I was grateful that I’d worn a heavier sweater tonight, because the breeze off the water bustled around us.
“I know. But I’m confident about my skills.
” He smirked. “I know my talent. I know I’m where I’m supposed to be, building new homes and renovating old ones, and changing this town one home at a time.
But you’re just getting started on your career journey.
And I want you to recognize your talent and your worth, because there’s no one like you, Gracie Reynolds. ”
My heart thumped against my chest as a large lump formed in my throat.
“You’ve always seen me, haven’t you.”
“Always. Even when you couldn’t.” He tugged me against him and kissed my hair.
“There you are,” Phoenix said as he came jogging over. “I just got off work and thought I’d meet you here before we head over to Four Clovers.”
“I wouldn’t have guessed you to be a pumpkin patch guy,” I teased as the three of us started walking toward the fun.
“I’m not. But Margo Burns always sets up a stand with her famous hot chocolate, and she adds all sorts of toppings, and that shit is addicting.” He motioned to the booth in the corner, and we followed him over there.
“I saw that the firehouse window was all decorated with pumpkins wearing fire helmets,” I said with a laugh, and he shook his head, a wide grin spreading across his face.
“Yeah, the rookies have to do the windows for the holidays, and they had a little too much fun doing it this year.” He paused when Margo clapped her hands together.
“You never could resist my hot chocolate, Phoenix. And Cutler is always nagging me to serve it earlier every year at the diner.” She winked at them. “Gracie, are you ready for the best hot chocolate you’ve ever had?”
“I sure am.” I moved closer to Cutler when a gust of wind blew past me, and his arm came around me like it was the most natural thing in the world. He rubbed my shoulders as Stanley filled the cups with cocoa, and then Margo added the whipped cream and sprinkles.
“They don’t make it this good in New York City,” Stanley said as he handed me a cup. “You know what they say about Blue Sky Bay, don’t you?”
“Tell me,” I said, wrapping my hands around the cup of warm cocoa.
“‘Once you give your heart to Blue Sky Bay, you never get it back.’” He smirked.
And I had a feeling he was right.
But Blue Sky Bay wasn’t the only one I’d given my heart to.
And I feared I’d never get it back.
Because I knew in my gut that it was exactly where it was supposed to be.