One Night in New York

Chapter Fourteen

A decision that is heavily weighted on your mind and influenced by your feelings for someone can go one of two ways. Depending on how strongly you feel about it, it could be the best decision you ever make, or it could backfire and bite you in the behind.

Those were the considerations I needed to make when deciding whether or not to relocate. Was it true that I wanted to live with Liam because I adored him, or was it just something new and exciting that I didn't fully comprehend? There were no breaks during those two months, only major decisions after major decisions. I felt like I'd just gotten off the spinning ride where you stick to the wall; I couldn't tell which way was up or down and was unable to walk in a straight line.

I needed to make a big decision, and I knew I had to act quickly. Because pregnancies don't last forever, I wanted to decide where our baby would live as soon as possible. I was often impulsive and jumped into things without much thought, but I felt like I needed to think about living with Liam, even if only for a short time.

Liam and I continued our discussion about the benefits and drawbacks of cohabitation over dinner. There appeared to be more advantages than disadvantages. He said I could leave my job, focus on the baby and myself, and worry about my career when they were about a year old. But would I actually want to do it? I'd just been taking care of myself and living with Angie since I moved to the city and started college. It all happened so fast, but I truly loved him.

"That sounds tempting," I thought to myself. As Liam continued, I considered what he believed to be best for us. It did, but I was accustomed to the life I had created for myself. Would I embrace the new adjustment or would Liam eventually drive me crazy? I needed to discuss everything with Angie before deciding.

I returned to work the following week, attempting to focus on my usual daily routine. But I wasn't interested. Karen chastised me almost every day for losing focus and only thinking about Liam and our impending move-in together. Being a receptionist isn't difficult, but I started to feel like my heart wasn't in it. I sat chained, bullied by my subconscious, which told me one thing when my gut told me another.

It was almost Saturday, and my never-ending hell of a week was finally coming to an end. Angie and I agreed to talk about the big decision Liam and I had discussed that night. We planned on spending the evening just the two of us, with no contact with boyfriends and giving each other our undivided attention. We ordered Chinese takeout, of course, sat down on our sofa, and started talking.

"So, I'd like to talk to you about something," I began, Angie leaning in to catch every word, "Liam, kind of, proposed to me. Not with a ring or anything. It was more of a proposal of sorts. He wants me to move in with him and told me I could quit my job so that I can focus on myself and the baby. I'd like to hear your thoughts on it. You're my best friend, and I completely trust you to give me your honest opinion." My heart pounded as I worried about her reaction, thinking she'd think I was a moron. I was concerned about what my best friend thought, silently hoping she would be happy for me.

"To be honest, I think you guys moved too quickly," Angie said. My heart sank as I heard her say that, possibly because I thought she was correct. "But who am I to tell, Nat, what is too fast? If you adore this man and believe it is in your best interests, then dive in headfirst. You've been looking for someone here for a long time, and you've finally found them. Don't let that opportunity pass you by. If things don't work out, you and my godchild will always have a place with me. Do you hear what I'm saying? Always."

As Angie said those words, I began to cry. She was the only person I could rely on to tell me the truth. I knew if she thought it was a good idea, it was fine, but if she didn't, I should back off. Her words reassured me about my final decision, the most important one I had made to that point.