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“That would be helpful, thanks. I know everyone wants me to move as quickly as possible.” Now that the first flush of excitement over actual full-time employment had passed, I was getting a little nervous about the idea of moving to a completely new location where I only knew Ian, which was not well at all, and the few employees I had briefly met, like Becky. I felt confident that people in Wanted would be friendly, but it was still a big change from living with family to living solo.
“MacKay is looking for an apartment too,” Dylan said.
“What? In Wanted?” I asked, my heart suddenly starting to race.
“No, in Nashville. He’s been staying with me and he’s finally moving out, thank God. You looking for an apartment just reminded me I’m regaining my privacy.”
“I’ve never had privacy. I hope I like it,” I said, truthfully.
“You’ll love it. My family isn’t as big as yours, but I have a twin. I’ve had to share everything my whole life and there is nothing better than a little solitude on your own terms.”
“I bet it was hard sharing a birthday,” I said. “I definitely never envied twins for that.”
“It totally sucked. As did being referred to as ‘the twins.’ I will say the twin bond is truth. Ian and I have a different, stronger connection than I do with my other brothers. But I think it’s good for everyone to live alone at least for a few years. You learn to be self-reliant.”
“No one has ever let me be self-reliant.” If I were being honest, I’d fully allowed that. I hadn’t pushed back at all. Instead of seeking independence, I was just impulsive. My family was always there to bail me out or back me up, no matter what mess I landed in.
“Now’s your chance,” Dylan said.
“I guess so.” I sank into reflection as I stared out the window at the rolling landscape.
Maybe it wasn’t so much that I didn’t know myself or what I wanted out of life, it was that I just hadn’t had time yet to explore on my own all of those things.
None of that could include a relationship with MacKay, casual or otherwise.
My brother Conway texted me, ripping me out of my introspection. Like Ian was for Dylan, Conway and I were just a little closer than me and my other siblings. It was because we were so close in age and we’d done everything together, including sharing a bedroom when we were toddlers. He didn’t have quite that same level of overprotectiveness as the others. We were more peers.
His text was nothing important. Just a dumb meme. But it made me miss him. I’d barely seen him over the weekend when he’d been in Nashville for the baby shower.
He followed the meme up with another text.
How goes the new job?
I got drunk at the bourbon tasting to acquaint myself with the product. It’s clearly not my drink. Don’t tell Cash.
Did you do anything stupid?
Just had sex with MacKay. Again. But I couldn’t blame that on the bourbon.
I hugged the lady who prepared the sampling because she reminded me of mom.
Conway sent me a bunch of laughing emojis. But then he texted again.
Seriously, are you upset or are you okay?
I’m okay.
Call me if you want.
When Dylan dropped me off at Cash’s house, I went inside to a bustle of activity. Marigold gave me a giant hug, squeezing me so hard you would have thought I’d been gone six weeks instead of thirty-six hours. Hank had something cooking on the stove for dinner.
Sera gave me a bright smile and asked, “How did it go? I bet you knocked them dead with your ideas.”
“It went okay,” I said, truthfully. “I’m excited to get to work.”
“Do you want to go riding with me?” Johnny asked, reaching into Hank’s pan and pulling something out to pop into his mouth.
Hank swatted his hand with a spatula.
