“I bet.” She shakes her head. “She’s always been independent, so I’m sure even the idea of her losing her license is not something she wants to consider.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “But I told her that if it does happen, I’ll drive her around, and Pearl and Dixie both said the same, so it’s not like she’ll be stuck at home all the time.” I pick up the bag of flour and carry it to the storage bins before dropping it inside one. “Anyway,” I say, walking back toward her, “I had a chance to look over the applications you left on the desk in the office, and there were a few really good candidates. I was thinking maybe we should each pick our favorite from the bunch and bring them in for a second interview.”
“That’s a great idea. Gus wants me to have at least two people hired and trained as soon as possible. That way you’ll have the help you need when I do go into labor and after the baby is born.”
I glance down at her stomach as she starts to rub it and know we don’t have long. She’s already at seven months, and if she’s anything like a few of my girlfriends in Chicago who’ve had kids, she’s not going to feel like working the last few weeks of pregnancy. “I think even if we find one really good person to hire full time, I’ll be okay while you’re out for a few months.”
“I know you’ll be okay, but I also want you to be able to have two days off a week to play bingo or . . . I don’t know, go on a date or two.” She shrugs while shooting me a look I’ve found her giving me more and more often. A look that states she wants me to have a life outside of her shop and to meet a man. Something that is actually funny because she’s told me herself that she wasn’t looking for a man when she met her now husband; things between them just kind of happened.
That said, I do need a life, but I do not need to date. I spent five years with Lance and was in the middle of planning our wedding when I realized I wasn’t just going to be hurting myself by marrying him; I would eventually end up hurting him, too, and he didn’t deserve that.
Regardless of the fact that I wasn’t in love with him, I cared about him deeply. Our relationship was comfortable, and our plans for our future were predictable. He checked every box my parents wanted. He was well educated, came from a good family, and was wealthy. My parents always had grand dreams of me being a trophy wife. When other little girls were told to study and do well in school so they might someday become a doctor or a lawyer, my parents told me to watch my figure, dress appropriately, and look for a man who would be able to give me a good life.
I did what they wanted. I met Lance when I was twenty-two while working at his family’s company as the secretary to the CEO. I hated that job, but it paid really well, and in my parents’ eyes, it was respectable. Or I should say it was something they were okay with me doing until I got married and had babies, who I would spend the rest of my life raising while doing the occasional charity event. After we got engaged, I thought, Finally, finally my parents are happy, so maybe I’ll be happy too. But as the months turned into years, I realized it would never happen: not if I was living for them in an attempt to get them to love me. That’s why, when I made the choice to leave my life in Chicago, I promised myself I wouldn’t date again until I was happy with myself and my life.
“Earth to Anna.” I blink, coming out of my thoughts as Chrissie snaps her fingers in front of my face.
“Sorry. I spaced for a second.”
“I see that. Are you okay?” she asks, studying me closely.
“Yeah, fine.” I wave her off. “I didn’t sleep much last night.” It’s not a lie. I spent way too long on my balcony, watching the tide come in and the stars brighten the sky—something I don’t take for granted. I never got to experience the night sky when I lived in the city. I mean, yes, there were stars, but I never took the time to actually enjoy them, and the night sky there can’t compare to here.
“Did you fall asleep outside again?” she asks with a grin.
“No.” I roll my eyes. “And that only happened one time.”
“I know, but it’s still funny when I think about you waking up to Edie, Dixie, and Pearl skinny-dipping.”