“I told him that I love him.” I blurted out.
“You did what?” She asked, with disbelief. “Why in the world would you do that? You've only just met the man!”
“It's complicated. He's complicated, and if I hadn't said what I said... I would have lost him.”
“So you don't love him?”
“No. I definitely do. I just wasn't planning on telling him this soon.”
“And... he loves you too?”
“He says he does.”
“And... you believe him?”
“Yes.” I said, with annoyance. “I know what you're thinking, but he isn't like that. He wouldn't just lie about something like this. He couldn't.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“There are things you don't know about him. Things that he's shared with me, and it doesn't matter what you think really. It only matters what we think.”
“OK.” She said, shrugging her shoulders.
“OK?” I asked, as I turned onto the road our boutique was on.
“This is me trying, Ronnie. And I trust your judgment.”
I didn't know what to say. I was honestly speechless. Saying that you were willing to change, and actually doing it were two different things. So seeing this side of my best friend was like stepping into the twilight zone. It was definitely going to take some getting used to, but I know that I definitely could.
“Oh! There it is!” Morgan said excitedly, pointing out her window to the right. “I can't wait for you to come inside!”
As I pulled into the parking lot I couldn't help but admire the building. It was brick, but it had been painted white so that little flecks of red shone through beneath it. Our sign was already hung on the building front and center. It was written in rose gold cursive writing, and below it was a beautiful large oak wood door. The aesthetic was nothing like I imagined Morgan choosing, and after putting the truck into park I told her so.
“I chose something that we would both like.” She said, with a smile.
“I was expecting something modern, and over the top.” I admitted.
“I wanted it to feel like we'd brought a bit of Raleigh with us. I think we'll stand out more this way. It's unexpected for the city.”
“Which one of us is the marketing graduate again?” I asked.
She laughed. “Come on, let's go inside!”
When we walked through the entrance and into the boutique, my breath was literally taken away. The walls were lined in ship-lap, and the ceilings were vaulted. Everything was white, and the ceiling fans were matte black in contrast. The cashier's counter was installed, and the fitting rooms were awaiting their doors.
“I can't believe how beautiful it looks.” I said, as my voice echoed off the walls.
“I can't believe they've gotten so much done on such short notice. When daddy asked them to move the time line up, I'll admit I was worried.”
“We still have nearly two months before the opening.” I said, running my hand over the smooth quartz of the counter top.
“More like two weeks.” Morgan corrected, with caution.
I turned to face her with question. “Explain.”
“Since we're here already, daddy thought it would be best to get things up and running as soon as possible. The longer we wait, the more we're paying on rent for the building, and it's eating into our potential profit.”
“I understand how a business works Morgan.” I said with annoyance. “What I don't understand is how we'll be ready to open in two weeks. Your designs haven't even been finished yet! What do you plan on selling here?”
“That's why I had them out sourced.” A man's voice boomed from behind me, causing me to turn towards it.
“Mister Astor?” I asked with confusion.
“It's a pleasure to see you again, Veronica.” He said, as he took a few purposeful steps towards us. “Morgan.” He said, with a slight nod in greeting.
“I wasn't expecting you today, daddy.” She said, with a small smile. “Is everything alright?”
“I just stopped by to check on the progress. How was the apartment? To your liking?”
“It's perfect, daddy.” She gushed. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” He said, before focusing all of his attention on me. “I'd like for you, and Derek to join Morgan and I for dinner tonight.”
“Oh! Um... Derek, and I aren't together anymore.”
“Really? I just spoke with him yesterday, and he assured me that you'd worked things out.”
“Ronnie's got a new boyfriend, daddy.” Morgan chimed in; in an attempt to save me.
“Like mother like daughter.” He scoffed, before reaching into his pocket and handing Morgan a business card. “Call this number, they'll be supplying the rest of the furnishings for the building. I've already taken care of the payment.”
“Thank you.” She said, tucking it safely into her purse.
With a final nod, he turned on his heel and made his way out of the building. Jeremy Astor was a hard, unemotional, man. He tossed money at all of his problems, including his daughter. I had only been in his presence a handful of times, but it was enough to know that he wasn't someone to mess with. Without his help, we wouldn't be standing here now in this building, but his help came at a cost. Looking at my best friend right now, I realized that she was it.
“Hey.” I said, reaching for her hand. “At least you weren't the one he called a whore.”
She fell into a fit of laughter then, and I pulled her into my arms to give her a hug. Soon, her laughter turned into tears, and I held her a little tighter. I was the only one who knew the strain of their relationship. The only one who has seen first hand the damage that; that man can do. I rubbed her back, until her sobs began to dissipate and she eventually pulled away from me.
“Thanks.” She said, sheepishly.
“Any time.” I winked. “Now, let's call the furniture people and see what we can do.”
By using Mister Astor's name, the company sent someone over almost instantly. We only waited for about twenty minutes, and a design team showed up with books,
