Peggy’s disappointed voice echoed in her ear, and the look in Billy’s eyes when she told him she was returning to Seattle haunted her as she went to bed that night. Before leaving Wenatchee, she’d grabbed the letter she’d written to Santa and read it again. She’d gotten everything she’d asked him to bring. A new best friend. A love interest. And that her proposal be the one accepted.
Her entire wish list was complete. She should be ecstatic, until she realized she would need to forsake the first two wishes in order to have the third.
* * *
—
First thing the next morning, Lindy arrived at Media Blast. After receiving a round of congratulations from her coworkers, she met with the Ferguson Group. Together with several of her own team, Lindy reviewed her proposal. The enthusiasm was high, and excitement filled the room.
After the lengthy session, Lindy knew she should be walking on air. This was what she wanted, what was important. Sitting at her desk, her thoughts weren’t on the project, though, they were back in Wenatchee and all she’d left behind.
Being Peggy’s roommate would be one crazy, fun-filled adventure after another. Lindy had never had a better friend.
And then there was Billy.
Her heart ached just thinking about him. She’d sent him a text late, before she’d gone to bed, which he didn’t answer. She knew why. A long-distance relationship would be nearly impossible for them. He knew it. She did, too. But they could manage if they were both willing to sacrifice. Lindy was afraid Billy had chosen to sever all ties with her in order to protect his heart. She didn’t blame him. He couldn’t risk Dede and David’s investment because of her, no matter how much he wanted things to work out between them.
Convinced once she was settled back in she would feel more excited about the project, Lindy chose to ignore the voices in her head, telling her to follow her heart.
* * *
—
For the next several days, Lindy threw herself into the project, working long hours, putting in the sweat equity required. And this was only the beginning. There would be far more late nights in her future. At the end of the day, she checked her phone for text messages, hoping to hear from Billy. The silence ate at her heart. Peggy and Lindy exchanged several notes. She wanted to ask her friend about Billy, desperate to know if he missed her even half as much as she missed him. She didn’t, though, and Peggy didn’t volunteer any information.
* * *
—
On New Year’s Eve, Lindy left the office later than normal and returned to her apartment with no plans in mind. No place to celebrate and, worse, no one to celebrate it with. If she was in Wenatchee, she’d be with Billy, and when midnight arrived, he’d take her in his arms, stare down at her, and smile before he kissed her into the new year. Instead, she’d spend the evening alone and miserable, wishing she could be with Billy and Peggy. Her friend had let her know she was headed to the Wine Press for a New Year’s party with Jayne and Chloe, and several others.
As Lindy walked into her sterile apartment, things suddenly became clear. All this week, she’d pushed thoughts of Billy from her head and her heart. Only her heart refused to listen. Her heart knew exactly what she needed most. It should have been obvious. It wasn’t until she faced that cold, dark apartment that she knew what she had to do.
Although it was crazy, even foolish, Lindy threw an overnight bag into her car and headed out. Because of the snow, Stevens Pass had chains required, but Snoqualmie Pass was open. Lindy didn’t care how long it took; she was headed to Wenatchee.
The first call she made was to her parents. Her mother answered and Lindy blurted out, “Mom, I’m coming home.”
“For how long?” her mother asked.
“I don’t know, but, Mom, I think it just might be for good.” As soon as she said the words, her heart sprang free. This was what she wanted most. Deep down she had the assurance she’d made the right decision. All at once she felt the crazy need to laugh. She inhaled oxygen into her lungs, and held it there as a sense of freedom filled her. It was as if she’d been walking around all this week in handcuffs, looking to make the most of what once had seemed important. Only Lindy knew now what really mattered. It wasn’t proving herself to anyone at Media Blast or accepting accolades from the Ferguson Group. It was being with those she loved, those closest to her heart.
Once she was on the road, she felt like everyone in the city had the same idea. The traffic was bumper to bumper. What helped her keep from growing frustrated and impatient was knowing she would bring in the new year with Billy. But at this rate, it didn’t look like she’d arrive much before midnight.