Chapter 38
After filling our bellies with first and second helpings, Mira stretches her arms over her head, and I grab one and lead her out onto the dance floor.
“It may be the first time I’ve ever danced at a wedding,” she says, resting her head on my chest. Even after running around she still smells sweet, like cinnamon and citrus.
“I’m glad I could be the first to ask you then,” I say, giving her a little spin.
She giggles before falling back against my chest, and I want to record the sound on a loop.
To listen to anytime I need a pick-me-up.
She threads her fingers through mine as my other hand finds the small of her back, leading her in tiny circles.
Her voice is warm when she says my name. “Hudson?”
“Mhmm.”
“Were you serious about that job offer?”
“One hundred percent,” I assure her.
“And do you think I’m actually qualified?”
“Yes. Overqualified, honestly.”
“And I wouldn’t have to climb Everest with your team, right?”
“Everest is so 1999,” he jokes.
“I’m serious. I’m not built like you. My endurance is more for dealing with uncomfortable family dynamics and too much PDA. Not scaling the sides of mountains.”
“You’d have to shoot content on location of course, but you don’t have to do the activities. You’d be adjacent to them. And if you’re ever uncomfortable then you don’t do it.”
“And it’s a real job? You didn’t just make it up for me?” I know she’s trying to be stern, but I can’t help but find the way her brows furrow in the middle absolutely adorable.
“It’s real. The listing is going live on Monday. You can even apply through the website if it makes you feel better. Although I will say that having an in with the CEO will make the hiring process go a little faster.”
“Oh, I bet,” she laughs.
“It comes with full benefits, a steady paycheck, and you’d get to travel.”
“With you?”
“Technically, I’m supposed to be more behind the desk, but I’m hoping to do a little restructuring, be more hands-on than my dad was.
So, yeah, we’d get to travel together.” I’m already buzzing at the idea.
Of traveling the world together. Of showing her my favorite trails.
Of trying new food together. Of sharing sleeping bags and hotels on the road.
“I don’t want any special treatment.”
“Oof, that might be an issue,” I say, restraining a smile.
“Why’s that?”
“Because I plan on doing things with you I’d never do with anyone else at work.”
She swats at my chest playfully. “That’s not what I meant.”
I kiss her forehead softly. “I want you to know, there’s no commitment either.
You can leave whenever you want. Or if you prefer you could do contract work for us.
It would pay a little less but you could pick and choose the jobs you wanted to take.
I never want you to do anything that doesn’t make you happy.
If you hate it, you walk away, no hard feelings. ”
“I think I’m going to apply.”
“I think you should,” I say, excitement radiating through me. “I’ve been looking for someone to take over this role a long time, and Mira, your images are better than anything that’s ever come across my desk.”
She grins, and brings her lips to mine. The kiss is polite and docile, appropriate for the setting, but it’s still enough to bring me to my knees. I’m ready to rush out of there, to end the night early, but Katherine taps me on the shoulder to cut in.
“Can we talk for a minute?” she asks, and I find myself looking towards Mira for permission.
“It’s okay, I need to pack up my gear anyways,” she says, giving us space. “Find me in a few?”
I expect Katherine to lead me to the bar or her table, but she slips her hand into mine, bringing me back onto the dance floor.
She’s in the same green color as the rest of the party posse, but unlike Vanessa’s dress, which is layered and long, Katherine’s is cinched at the waist, corset-like, with lots of buttons up the back.
“I just wanted to apologize,” she says, swaying against me, keeping a respectable distance between us this time.
“For what exactly?” I ask, knowing she has several things to apologize for.
“For everything. For what happened with Grant. But mostly for before. It wasn’t fair of me to keep our lives entangled this long.
I guess I’ve just been feeling insecure about everything.
I mean, I’m almost thirty, and I’m starting over.
I’m single. I’m not great at my job, and my best friend just got married, is moving and growing up without me. ”
“I get it, I do, but you could have talked to me about it. I would have helped you.”
“I know,” Katherine replies, turning away for a moment to compose herself. “It’s a lot of change at once. And I’m worried that I can’t handle it. But that’s not your problem.”
I soften at her words. Because even after everything, I’m not heartless to her plight.
“Have you thought about going to therapy?” I suggest.
“Meredith gave me a referral, and I have an appointment for later this month.”
“I think it’d be good. Just to have someone to talk to.”
She nods solemnly. “And just so you know I did hear you. I called a moving company and made an appointment but they couldn’t get me in until Thursday. I really tried, but . . .”
“That’s okay,” I say, willing to give her a few more days. “Thursday’s fine.”
“I think I’m going to move back to Charlotte for a while. Save some money, and buy a house in a few years, or move out of state. I don’t know. But I’ll figure it out.”
“Where are you going to stay in the meantime?”
She glances over at Derrick, who’s finishing off a piece of cake. “Derrick said that he has an extra room. And he’s gone most of the week at work.”
He gives us a wave, and I have to admit I sort of see them together.
“I really want you to be happy, Kat.”
“Thanks,” she replies, her voice soft, and slips back into the crowd.
Itching for a change of scenery, I make my way over to Mira. She’s chatting with Vanessa and Adrian, who are currently bickering about whether Derrick is going to knock over the cake, when I butt in.
“Sorry to interrupt, but do you want to get out of here?”