Page 53 of Center Ice

I finished packing my meager possessions. Since the resort supplied all the furniture and houseware, all I had were clothes, a few personal decorations, and pictures. It all fit easily into two suitcases and a carryon. I was ready to go.

But where?

I couldn’t argue that the guys had a really good point about the cost of living in my dream cities. Did I want to live to work? Struggling to get by month to month and stressing about always being booked solid?

In Salt Lake, I could get by on a lot less and be more selective with my clients. I could charge the same amount from anywhere, so I’d be making the same amount with lower bills. I’d have more money for traveling, something I had to postpone while living here.

It was a solid option. Plus, the connections. Everyone on the team knew someone they wanted to recommend. Then there were the basketball and soccer teams. There were so many potential clients just waiting for me. I wouldn’t even have to market for the first year or so. By then, I might even have enough word of mouth to not need it.

Salt Lake was almost too easy. But why did I think it needed to be hard?

My phone rang and I picked it up. “Hello?”

“Dani, it’s Chloe. We’re back and I wanted to touch base and see how you’re doing.”

I was surprised she was already checking in, but I shouldn’t have been. She said she would when I hugged her goodbye. She was definitely a woman of her word.

“I’m all packed up and ready to go. I just don’t know where.”

She hummed. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

I ran through it again. My dream cities versus Salt Lake. Struggling to pay bills versus having a million opportunities waiting for me on a silver platter.

“Just because it’s easy, doesn’t mean it’s wrong.” Her gentle words rocked me. “This isn’t one of those situations where it’s too simple so there must be a catch.”

I sighed. “I know.”

“Why do you think it needs to be hard?”

I blinked. “I never said that.”

“It’s everything else you’ve said, though. You think this experience needs to make you bleed and cry, but it doesn’t. You’ve pushed through the hard years of learning and making mistakes and have earned your stripes.” She paused. “All of the offers and recommendations we’ve shared haven’t been charity, Dani. We aren’t willing to go to our friends and colleagues because we like you or even as a favor to Jake. You proved to us how talented you are. You showed exactly how hardworking you are and that you go above and beyond for your clients. You did that.”

It took a few moments for her words to sink in. She wasn’t just playing nice because I was with Jake or she felt like she had to. No, Chloe didn't strike me as the type to do anything she didn’t want to. If she didn’t think I was worthy of her stamp of approval, she never would have mentioned anything to me. She certainly wouldn’t have come over this morning to help me.

She had my back because I’d proven to her I deserved her respect and her friendship.

“Thank you. I really needed to hear that.” I sat on the corner of my bed. “I think I’ve known what I want to do. I’m just afraid to admit it.”

“There’s a flight tomorrow morning at seven.” She didn’t have to ask what I meant. She knew. Of course, she did.

“I’ll book it now.”

“Already done.” I could picture her grinning like she won.

“You don’t need to do that,” I tried to argue.

“Consider it my welcome home gift.” I smiled at the teasing in her voice.

“Home?”

“Yes, Dani. You found it.”

“I wasn’t aware I was searching,” I said honestly.

“Didn’t you?” She paused as if to let me absorb it. “I’ll be at the airport to pick you up.”

“Wow. Thank you. I can order a car.”