Chapter 11
11
E mma
“Thank you for everything,” Hazel says again, walking around the kitchen island and picking a stool to sit on.
She returned in the afternoon, telling me stories about her trip and the collab between Sugar & Silk and Cromwell Travel. Apparently, it was a success, and they’re already planning the next one. I envy her newfound joy in the business world. She was an assistant before, but nowadays, she’s making the hard decisions and innovating.
Will that be me as well? I sigh. I hope so. I’d love to work designing wedding gowns and make a living. Maybe even my own collection one day. That’s a big dream for someone who didn’t even finish fashion school, a little voice inside me warns.
I blink out of my musings. “It’s been a pleasure.”
Hazel looks at me with the pretty eyes she was named after. “I talked to Dad, and he’s loved having you around. He says you’re not as much of a pain in the ass like me.”
I chuckle. “He’s independent and great company. I may have to come to see him once in a while.” I’ll miss him and Moonshine—that dog made me exercise more in a week and a half than I have in the entire year. A warm sensation spreads through me. I could still be close to this awesome family and my friend if I moved into Malcolm’s home.
But I have to stay strong.
“I guess he’s not the only one you’ll be seeing in this neighborhood.” Hazel winks at me.
I flush. The past few days have been amazing. I felt lighter after I told Malcolm I was falling for him. The declaration wasn’t planned but was a spur-of-the-moment thing. But I can’t take it back. It’s true.
He hasn’t said he loves me back, but I see it in his eyes that he cares for me. I just have to be patient until he’s ready to share his feelings.
“Emma, how’s Malcolm doing? Will he miss you?”
I can’t dodge this conversation. “He’ll see me enough. In fact, we’re going to Los Angeles together tomorrow. He arranged a meeting with this big designer. He showed her some of my sketches, and she said she’d like to meet.”
Her eyes grow big, and she hugs me like I’ve told her I’m pregnant. “Wow. That’s so wonderful. So exciting. Wow. Wow.”
I squeal as her enthusiasm rubs off on me. “I’m trying not to hype myself up too much. But yes, exciting.”
Hazel taps her chin and looks up at the ceiling like she’s cooking something in her brain. Then, her gaze finds mine. “Malcolm does know a lot of people. I guess he must have good intentions toward you, or he wouldn’t have offered.”
“Yeah. He also offered to let me stay with him. At his place.” He didn’t set a timeframe. He didn’t say, stay with me until you find your own place , or anything like that. And an open-ended invitation can be dangerous for a girl like me.
She claps her hands. “He’s got it bad. What did you say?”
“I said no because I agreed to live with Laura, and I’m afraid we’re moving too fast.”
Never mind that I told him I was falling for him. I keep that part a secret, as if revealing it would taint our relationship. But the truth is, I gave him words and feelings. He can fuck those up. What if I move in with him, and two weeks later, he changes his mind?
Then my ass will be out on the street. Plus, I already gave Laura a deposit. I doubt she’ll refund me.
“That’s smart of you. You know, Malcolm is a good guy. He wouldn’t intentionally break your heart.”
I swallow. “That’s true. What if I break my heart by getting too involved too soon?”
She taps my arm. “I understand you. You’re doing the right thing. You usually jump headfirst.”
I chew my lower lip. She doesn’t know how addicted I’ve become to him. “The truth is, I’ve never met anyone who made me feel this way. That’s why I’m clinging to the rational so much. Because I feel like I could lose everything.”
“Oh, girlfriend… I understand. Come here,” she says, hugging me again. “What if you don’t lose? What if you gain things instead? Like this wonderful opportunity. What else could come your way?”