Noah helps me adjust the curtains to cover the completed mural, and a little twinge of sorrow ripples through me as we tuck the art away for the final time.
“Well,” I say, my throat suddenly tight. “I’m sure I’ll—I’ll be back soon.” I still need to get my last payment anyway. But even without that as an excuse, I’ve developed a taste for beer over the past few months.
And a taste for the brewer, too.
I don’t want to act like this is goodbye. So, instead, I simply twine my fingers around Noah’s neck and pull him down for a kiss. “I’ll see you soon?”
“Whenever you like, Sadie.” His forearms squeeze against my lower back.
It almost sounds like a promise.
The bell hanging over the doorway rings as I walk out. The heat, as always, wraps me in its usual warm, humid hug. As I stand outside with my back pressed against the Civic, I scroll through my emails until I find Paragon’s offer again.
I inhale a deep, bracing breath.
It took me a while to realize that Addison isn’t insidious, not at all like the fire-breathing dragon that was my last manager. No, truthfully, Paragonisa wonderful company. Their office is beautiful, their turnover rate is low, the projects are engaging andinspiring, and every single employee I met was an absolute delight. And if things got out of control again and I became overwhelmed and stressed, I could pick up strategies to help. I could set better boundaries. I could grow.
I could move back to New York and try again. This time, I’d be more prepared. I could prove that Incite hadn’t broken me.
It’s taken me much longer to realize, though, that I don’t have anything to prove at all.
I press the green call button and lift the phone to my ear.
After the call, I sit in the car for a long time as dusk softens the sky to a sleepy blue. I watch Noah through the brewery’s windows as he welcomes in patrons with his usual enthusiasm and consider stepping back inside to tell him the news.
But for now the small seed of joy settling in my chest feels too fragile—too new. I need a moment to myself to give it time to take root and grow.
I pull out of the parking lot and drive home.
I know the way by heart by now, but a sudden rush of sentimentality convinces me to take the long way back. I roll down the darkening road, past fields that Jules told me grow thick with bluebonnets in the springtime, past the beacon of the Mama’s sign farther down the way. I slow as I drive under the twinkling lights of downtown and smile at the bookstore where I know Liam and Morgan are working the closing shift. The scenery grows more mundane as I near my neighborhood, but even the sight of the bank, the library, and my preferred grocery store inspires a surge of sharp fondness.
After reheating a quick dinner, I take my time brewing tea, selecting a playlist, lighting Brooding Love Interest, and arranging all of my pillows into a cozy nest on my bed. I even hunt downHoward and purposefully carry him upstairs with me. After grabbing my tablet, I climb into bed.
Blissful contentment immediately settles around my shoulders like a warm blanket.
I sit and draw for hours, my fingers still crusted in paint from the day’s work at Alchemist. It’s a wonder that I still have energy left for more art after rushing to finish the mural, but for once, I don’t work on a paid commission. This is a personal project. Something just for me and my friends.
Something I’m choosing to do for myself.
With our last session penned for this Sunday, I want to celebrate the adventure we’ve all been on together.
My phone buzzes in the pocket of my sweatpants. Howard lifts his head from where he’s pressed to my leg, annoyed at being woken up.
Noah:
will you write with me one more time, before the campaign ends?
I’m going to miss these characters:(
My gaze flicks to the time and I inhale in surprise. Already after ten.
Tonight?
if you’re up for it!
I am
I add a few more swaths of color to the illustration on my tablet before trading it out for my laptop. I navigate to the private server between me and Noah and sink back into our world.
