Page 7 of Red King
“I want to go somewhere where people don’t feel like they have to protect me. I want fun, adventure, and—”
“We were right to protect you. This is all because Jim and Lexi are gearing up to become parents. You’re letting him rule your future, even though the two of you are divorced. You should start dating and make a life for yourself. Don’t go…you can’t!”
“This isn’t about Jim.” I sigh, sinking down onto my bed next to my best friend. “I’ll admit that Lexi being pregnant was a huge catalyst, but I was already thinking of leaving before I found out she was pregnant. I need to find myself.”
“You’re thirty-five, Paisley…you have a wonderful career and an amazing home.” She looks around. “You don’t need to find anything. You know who you are.”
“Do I, though?” I lift my brows. “Do I really?”
“Yes, you do. You’re too old to find yourself and too young for a midlife crisis.”
“You’re right; I’m far too young for a midlife crisis.” I laugh. “I do need to find myself, though, Becs. I don’t think I know who I am without Jim. It feels like we’ve always been together. In high school, in college, building our careers. Then, trying to start a family. Since the divorce, I’ve been lost. Completely lost and really unhappy.”
“Of course you’re unhappy. You lost the love of your life.” She snorts, taking a sip of her wine.
“I wouldn’t call him that. The love of my life would not have left me just because—”
“Okay, okay, but you have been devastated and hurt and quite broken. Now you’re finally starting to come out of your funk…and you’re leaving.”
“Yes, I am. I’ve made up my mind. I’ve signed all the contracts for my new position. My new tenants have signed a lease, and they move in tomorrow, so I have to keep packing.” I reach over and grab my glass of wine, taking a sip. “I thought you were going to help me with that.” I lift my brows. “That’s why you’re here, isn’t it?”
“No,” she grumbles, although smiling at me. “I’m here to give you moral support and to beg you to stay. You can’t go; you’re my best friend. What will I do without you?”
“You’ll be just fine. You’re engaged. You get married in a couple of months. You don’t need me as much as you think you do.”
“I do need you. Besides, you just brought up an excellent point: you’re my maid of honor, Paisley. You can’t leave me.”
“I’ll be back for the wedding. I negotiated a few days’ leave upfront. You know this. I wouldn’t miss your big day for anything.”
“But what about all the other big days?” Rebecca asks, her eyes pleading. “What about Thanksgiving? Christmas? Our bi-weekly girls’ night?”
I sigh, knowing that despite my decision, leaving will not be easy. “We’ll find a way to make it work, Becs. With technology nowadays, we can always Skype or Facetime. And I will come back to visit. Maybe even for those special occasions you mentioned.” I doubt they’ll let me go but you never know.
She nods, her face still showing her concern. “You promise?”
“I promise.” I meet her gaze. “I’m not selling this place.” I look around. “Just leasing it out for a year or two. I’ll be back sooner than you think.”
“Unless you meet someone amazing, and he sweeps you off your feet.”
I roll my eyes. “Those types of things only happen in movies, Becs. I’ll be back sooner than you think.”
“For someone who reads such steamy romance novels, you’re so boring.” She picks up the paperback on my side table, holding it up. “The ‘Gargoyle’s Virgin Bride.’” She lifts her brows at me. “This looks interesting.”
“All fiction, I assure you. Now, let’s get back to packing and drinking wine. We still have a lot to do before I can crawl into bed. Tomorrow is going to be a big day for me.”
There is this ball of nerves in the pit of my stomach. It clenches tight, so I take a big sip of my wine. It’s going to be fine. It’s going to be amazing.
Then I stand and keep packing the last of my things.
Arctic
“Your Majesty.” Smoke bows his head for a moment as a show of respect. “Are you impressed?” His eyes light up, waiting for my reply.
It is not the first time I’ve seen the newly built structure, but it is the first time I’ve seen it since it was finished just this morning. My males have been working night and day to get the project completed.
I make a sound of approval because the human accommodation is practical and yet aesthetically pleasing. Very soon, it’ll house thirty women. Thirty Tributes. Thirty symbols of hope for our people. It’ll also house medical staff and a couple of others. It has the capacity to accommodate up to sixty individuals if need be. We have no idea where this pilot program will lead.
I swallow thickly. Things are changing, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. I pull in a deep breath. It’ll all work out for the best.
