Coming Home

Chapter 8.

The alarm goes off and I roll over, smiling with thoughts of last night.

Tonight should be interesting. He's right. We've never actually been out on a date. The one time we went to lunch did not go very well. It feels so silly to be going out on a 'first date' considering where we stand, but it means so much to him.

I jump out of bed and hop into the shower, planning out the day. When I get out, my phone is buzzing with a missed text from Adrian.

Adrian:

"Good morning gorgeous. How'd you sleep?"

I smile, thinking of my dreams.

"Great. I couldn't stop dreaming about this handsome neighbor I have."

Adrian:

"Don't make me jealous. You're all mine."

Adrian:

"I guess you'll just have to fight for me tonight when you take me out. What are we doing by the way? I need to know how to dress!"

Adrian:

"Nope. Not telling. You'll just have to wait. You'll be stunning no matter what you wear. See you tonight Miss Carmichael."

I smile, putting my phone back down onto the nightstand.

Ok. Today, it's time to look for a job. Whether I like it or not, I've got to start somewhere to pay the bills. It is what it is. I'll head downtown and see if I have any luck with the local boutiques.

I get dressed and head out. My first stop is to the only higher end boutique outside of town. I open the door, anxious but determined. After my interview, I proceed into every other local boutique back in town before heading home.

I never thought I'd be back here, applying for local sales associate jobs. I thought when I left for New York that that was it. I hoped to land a job with a designer, or at least work for a major retailer if that was the route I had to take. Four years of design school and an internship, for what?

A year ago when Dad died, I wanted to come home more than I could stand. The grief almost killed me, but I made it through it knowing that I was gone for so long for a reason, for my future. But now, Dad's gone, I'm back here, and I'm right back where I started all those years ago.

I shake off the negative thoughts and push my chin up.

No sense worrying about it now. I'm here now, and mom's happy. Besides, had I not come back, I never would've run back in to Adrian. Of course, I never would've had to leave him that morning, but that's not the point.

I check my watch and see that it's 6:00. I have just enough time to run in, freshen up, and change. I nod and determine I've got to let go of the past. It's time to simply move forward, and I'm ready to start tonight with Adrian. I freshen my makeup and slip into a sexy but casual sleeveless dress. I check the mirror and run my fingers through my wavy blonde hair, letting it fall gently down the sides of my face as it cascades down my shoulders and back.

That'll do Carmichael. He should be here any minute.

I feel confident as I slip on my heels, catching one last glimpse of myself in the mirror. I hear a knock on the door and my stomach flutters. I try to calm my nerves and answer the door to see him standing in front of me holding a bouquet of flowers. He looks devastatingly handsome in his sports coat and smiles down at me, looking me up and down. I feel heat rise to my cheeks under his gaze.