But feeling it and acting on it were two completely different things.
I was fairly certain that we were both just lonely right now. It didn’t help that we were constantly together, so of course we were feeling things that we didn’t normally feel.
But we hadn’t acted on anything since that night, and we wouldn’t.
My phone buzzed as my dad asked Finn endless questions about filming the new season. Big Sky Ranch would be filming season two in Scott’s Ranch again, which was located between here and the city. So, he’d be leaving once he got back from Tokyo, and we’d stage our breakup right before he left the country. He wasn’t telling anyone about the movie just yet, as he wanted to wait until they announced it and everything was finalized.
I glanced down to see a new text.
Carl
Hey. I heard you found an office space. Mrs. Runither filled me in. So, you’re really doing it. Proud of you, Reese. Sorry, it took me so long to say it.
I sucked in a breath, my heart racing a bit at his words.
Thank you. I’m excited to get started.
Carl
I’d like to hire you. I can be your first official client. I’d like to get my office done.
Well, Finn has beat you to the punch, but of course, I’ve got room on my calendar. I’d be happy to design your office. You just let me know when you’d like to get started.
Carl
Sooner rather than later. I’m off on Monday next week. How about you come over and we take a look?
Sure. Does 9:00 a.m. work?
Carl
That sounds perfect. Will you and Finn be at the festival tonight?
Of course. You know I love it. Are you going this year?
He’d never gone with me in the past. It wasn’t his thing, and I’d never pushed it because it had always been something that I did with Finn and our families.
Carl
Yeah, a group of us are going from the hospital. I’m off tonight. I’ll see you there.
Sounds good.
“Everything all right?” my mom asked.
I dropped my phone into my purse and reached for my fork. “Yeah. That was Carl. He just hired me to design his office.”
Finn smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “That’s great, Miney. Sounds like he’s starting to grovel. This interview will probably push him over the edge.”
I nodded. “Yeah. I hope so.”
I should feel happy. But so much was happening right now that I wasn’t solely focused on Carl at the moment. I was excited about launching my new company.
And I was enjoying being back home and riding Millie every morning with Finn and Han Solo, spending time with family, and seeing some of my friends who still lived here.
“Well, you know I want you to be happy,” my father said as he set his cornbread down on his napkin and brushed his fingers back and forth to get rid of the crumbs. “I’ve always liked Carl, but I’m enjoying this side of you, sweetie.”
“And what side is that?”
“Seeing that passion and excitement for something that you’re building. And if you want to get back together with him and he appreciates it, then I’ll support it. But don’t dim your light for anyone, okay?”
“I won’t, but Carl has been more supportive of this new venture of mine. Thanks for coming out today and helping me get set up.”
“Wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, darlin’。” My mother beamed at me before she started asking Finn for some inside on-set gossip.
We laughed and chatted until my parents left to go home, and Finn and I did the same.
“Wow. We stayed later than I planned. Do you think we still have time to take the horses out for a quick ride” I asked as we pulled down his long driveway.
The leaves were changing colors, and Finn’s lot was really something. The tall trees were covered in reds and yellows and oranges, and the branches created a canopy over his driveway.
“Of course. It’s always been our favorite time to ride. We can make it to the water before sunset.”
I chuckled. He hadn’t said that in a while. When we were kids, we were allowed to stay out until the sun went down. We lived three houses away from one another our entire lives, and we’d spend every last second outside.
“Remember that treehouse my dad built, and we’d both have to go home for dinner and then we’d meet back out there?” I chuckled at the memory. “We’d sit in there, goofing around before the sun went down and it was time to go home.”
“Uh, yeah, I remember,” he said, getting out of the truck as we both headed straight for the stables. “You decorated the treehouse like you were moving into it permanently.”