24. Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter 24
“And then we can go to the Pop Culture Museum. After that, we’ll go to the Rubber Chicken Museum and then—”
“Whoa. Hold up. Did you say Rubber Chicken?” Linda asked. Did Mason think she wasn’t paying attention to him and throwing random words into sentences?
After several text messages, Mason had found her at the airport and now they were taking a rideshare back to his apartment.
She was looking out the window at the buildings and street signs flying by. The unfortunate thing about getting in so late was not being able to see the things that made Seattle unique. She’d be in Seattle for less than forty-eight hours, and she wanted to become familiar with the city, not spend all their time in museums.
“Yes.” Mason’s enthusiasm was contagious, even about chickens. “Rubber Chicken Museum. Sounds bonkers, doesn’t it? I think we have to check it out.”
Since she couldn’t see much out the window anyway, she shifted around to look at him. “I was hoping to see the sights, not museum-hop.”
“Oh, sure. Not a problem. Whatever you want to do. I haven’t done much sightseeing myself, as I was waiting for your visit. There are several brochures in my apartment. You can look over them in the morning and we’ll go from there. We have options. Harbor cruise, walk around, or there’s a bus tour. Whatever.” He paused and looked sheepish. “I’m so sorry. I’m excited and rambling on and on. Didn’t mean to make plans for you. I want to do whatever you want to do. If you want to hang out in my apartment and watch TV, that’s fine. I’m just happy and thankful that you came.” He took her hand, giving it a squeeze.
The warmth of his hand calmed her nerves. On the flight, she’d worried about how the weekend would pan out. Would they get along in a new environment? It had been easy to reconnect with him in Seaside Bay, where they had so many happy memories together. Would that translate to a new city? And with Laurel’s wedding looming, would she have the courage to ask Mason to be her date?
Linda could barely keep her eyes open, and they were still waiting for their main course. They’d walked for miles, seen many of the famous attractions in downtown Seattle and were now eating dinner at nine o’clock on Saturday night. Jet lag was kicking her butt.
“Wow. What a day,” Mason said, leaning forward, his forearms resting on the table.
“I can’t believe we made it to so many places today, but I still wish I had more time to explore. Can’t believe I have to go home tomorrow. I just got here!” Linda lamented, taking a long drink of her diet soda.
“I know, but you can come back.” Mason raised his shoulders. “Anytime.”
“Yeah, right. It’s not the cheapest flight. Plus, with Laurel’s wedding and my new venture, I won’t have time before you leave for your next location.” Linda dropped her gaze to her fork, which she straightened. She hated the thought of him moving on; she was certain it wouldn’t be to Bloomington. It would be to another town she’d have to visit.
“About that.” Mason took a deep breath.
“What?” Linda braced for the worst.
“I may have an opportunity to stay here. The head nurse in geriatrics is impressed with my work ethic, and she’s talked to me about taking on a permanent position. It would be a good position with a salary bump. And it would give me the chance to own my own espresso machine.” He smiled, and Linda was reminded of the wonderful coffees he’d made for her in Florida with the machine he’d convinced his dad to buy for their condo.
Linda sat stunned. He was considering something permanent? In Seattle?
“Geriatrics? You haven’t mentioned that as a particular interest of yours.”
“No, but I think it would be a good fit for me.” He looked down at his hands as he pulled back further into his seat. She knew he meant to hide it from her, but she could see the flash of pain in his eyes. “I can’t handle losing another kid.”
Her heart squeezed. She could not imagine the horror of dealing with that. “I see. But Seattle…isn’t this the first time you’ve been here? You said yourself you haven’t done a lot of sightseeing yet. Why would you settle here?”
The words tasted like milk that had curdled. She shivered.
“True, but I’ve gotten around my neighborhood and the area around the hospital. They’re great.”
He looked at her again, and she tried to smile at him. They were friends. She would support him. They’d been in the friend zone most of their lives. It was precious, and she wouldn’t lose it again.
“That’s wonderful. I bet your dad is proud of you.”
“Oh, I haven’t talked to him about it yet. I will. What do you think of Seattle? Could you see yourself moving here?”
Moving here?! Away from her family and friends? She could, but did she want to?
“I’ve been in this city for twenty-four hours, and yes, it’s great, but I wouldn’t make such a decision about where to live based on a one-day visit. I’m not…adventurous like you. My life is comfortable. I know the baristas at my favorite coffee shop. There’s a place in Miller Park where I love to sit and read a good book. I go to dinner at my parents’ at least twice a month. Besides, I want to expand my side business, and maybe make it my entire business.”
“You’d leave Grady?”
“Wow. You make it sound like we’re together.” She laughed uncomfortably. “I work for Grady, but more importantly, he’s a friend. I would still have his friendship if I didn’t work for him. Sure, he wouldn’t be that jazzed about losing me. I’m pretty amazing, you know,” she said, trying to lighten the tone of the conversation.
Mason chuckled. “I know.”
She continued, “Grady would be happy to see me develop a business. He’s told me many times the only thing holding me back is me. I’m trying to take that to heart.”
Mason said he wanted her to chase her dreams, but it was Grady who’d mentored her and given her the confidence that she could be successful in business. He asked her opinions on important decisions for the business, and when he ultimately disagreed or went a different route, he explained which factors had influenced his decision, so she could develop her skills.
The server brought their dinners and asked if they needed anything else. When Linda shook her head no, Mason dismissed the server. Linda picked up a fork and pushed the scallops around.
Mason shifted forward and cut into his steak. “Honestly, I didn’t think you would leave your job. You seemed so dedicated to it. And I thought that moving here would be easy for you, because you could continue to work remotely. But if you’re going to leave that job, what will you do, exactly?”
Linda took a bite but didn’t taste her food. “Create a quirky but functional line of paper products that can be sold in retail stores. To do that well, I need to devote one hundred and ten percent of my attention to it. And…” She dropped her eyes. “Maybe someday I will open my own brick and mortar store. Not right away, but someday.”
“A retail store? Wow! That’s risky. But cool, definitely cool,” he rushed to add.
“See? I’m not in a position to move right now. Maybe someday.” She didn’t add it would take a heck of a lot more convincing to get her to move out of Illinois.
“I get it. Sure. But that’s okay. We can figure it out. Together.”
“Aren’t you going to eat?” she asked, eying the untouched steak on his plate.
“Yeah.”
They each picked at their meal but didn’t relish the food.
By the time they left the restaurant, Linda had decided that she wouldn’t ask Mason to be her date for Laurel’s wedding. She needed to put boundaries around her heart. Brick and mortar boundaries.