Oh yeah, with my luck, I should have expected it.
"No offense, but I assumed you had this planned down the minutest details." Stephanie looks at me inquisitively, breaking into my thoughts.
"I did! Then Miller sent me to these showrooms, and I was a goner! So many shades of blues, greys, greens. My mind exploded with all my options. It was too much. I went crazy. Crazy! It's all beautiful, and I can't help feeling this will be my showplace. It has to be perfect."
I don't miss the way Stephanie's eyes cut to Darby, nor the way she looks back at me apprehensively.
"No matter what you do, this will be a showplace, but it will be your home. Whatever you choose will be perfect because it's for you. Or am I wrong? Are we trying to prove something?"
I shake my head a little too fast. "No, that's not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean? I've never known you to be wishy-washy. Decisions come snap-quick."
"Ugh!" I blow out a breath and run my hands through my hair. "I got overwhelmed and put pressure on myself."
"Is this about your dad and brothers?"
I shrug, not willing to admit they've gotten to me.
"I've got a brother that is overly vocal in my life, so I can relate. You want to talk about it?" Darby offers gently.
"At least Evin respects your decisions."
She crows out a laugh. "Maybe now, but I have thirty-four years of stories for you. Not to mention, now I have an overbearing husband that took Evin's place."
I glance over at her, noticing the way she cradles her stomach with one hand and lazily runs the other through Runner's fur. It is not my style to unload my personal business, especially to those I don't know well, but Darby makes me want to talk.
"It's not my brothers or my dad. I wish they'd be more supportive, but this is our way. They always watch out for the baby of the family. I wish they'd show some encouragement instead of criticizing my choices."
"What choices are they criticizing?"
"Quitting my job, hauling ass out of Chicago, buying a fixer-upper in Charleston instead of returning to Atlanta. They want answers I'm not ready to give."
"It's normal to be curious."
"I guess."
"I'm the queen of holding back. I stayed away for twelve years to hide from the only man I ever loved. No judgment here."
"Thanks." I send her a grateful smile.
"But now that you bring it up, I've wondered the same things. Why did you uproot your life and make these big changes?"
My history with Stephanie goes back a long way, and even with scattered contact, I still think of her as a genuine friend. But I'm not ready to share my reasons.
"Chicago was a significant lead into my career. I thought I'd hit gold. But throughout the years, I disappeared and no longer recognized myself. One morning I woke up and decided I was done." This is a rehearsed answer I've used time and time again.
The look on these women's faces tells me they know it's a cop-out.
"I'm here if you want to talk." Luckily, Stephanie doesn't push for more. "I go home tomorrow, but you know where to find me."
"And I'm here anytime," Darby pipes in.
"I'll keep that in mind."
We stay quiet for a minute, an uncomfortable silence settling in. I focus back on the samples on the floor.
"I have a marvellous idea!" Darby squeals, clapping her hands together. "Let's take this back to my house. Maybe you can get a better vibe there."
My mood instantly boosts. "I'd love to see your house. The pictures Stephanie shared have been a tremendous source of inspiration."
"We can pop by the shed on the way home, too."
I stop short of squealing because the 'shed' as everyone refers to it, is Darby's special place on her parents' property. "I don't want to intrude on your parents." I try to sound cool.
"Oh, it's not an intrusion. Trust me. But ..." Darby bites her lower lip and heaves herself off the couch. "If you meet my mom, you can't hold it against me."
"Stop! Annie's harmless. She's eccentric," Stephanie defends.
"Once you meet my mom, you'll see I'm immune to eccentric," I assure them. "But maybe I should take a rain check. I haven't been to my house since I left this morning. Miller may need to talk to me."
"If he did, he'd call."
"What if decisions need to be made?"
"Then he will make them," Darby answers matter-of-factly. "You'll learn that quickly. Didn't he tell you this stuff needed to be done ASAP?"
"Yes."
"Then you need to do your part."
"I guess, but he said I don't have to decide today. Just narrow it down."
"Perfect. Let me go to the restroom and we'll leave." She shuffles to her private bathroom.
I gather an armful of samples, and when I stand, Stephanie is staring at me thoughtfully. "I respect your privacy, but you're not fooling me. We may have lost touch over the years, but I'm your friend. Don't forget that."
"I won't, promise. I made some poor choices that I'm not proud of, and this is a fresh start for me."
"Remember, you're not alone."
I swallow the burn at the base of my throat and nod. Her words ring in my ears, meaning more than she'll ever know.
•—•—•—•—•
Two kids rush through the back door, calling their hellos and something about finishing homework. Pierce strolls in a few seconds later, going straight to Darby's side and kissing her sweetly before laying his hand on her stomach.
"How are you feeling?"
"Wonderful," she replies, covering his hand with her own. It's impossible to miss the
