“No, you’re just uncomfortable with good things happening to you—with someone doing something for you—because normally it’s you making sacrifices so other people can be happy. It’s you making sure people have a roof over their heads and their bills are paid. You’re just not used to the shoe being on the other foot.”
I sighed and looked out at the sea of people rushing along the sidewalks, umbrellas askew and shoes squelching. Was I just uncomfortable accepting help? “But we’ve been on a date. We can’t do that again if I’m working for him.”
“Usually, you’re inventing reasons not to go on a second date. Surely you’re relieved to finally have a legitimate reason.”
Darn her, she knew me too well. She’d backed me into a corner—I either had to admit that no second date was a relief and so there was no reason not to take the job, or that I liked this guy. “Well, I didn’t have any reasons not to go on a second date with him. Not until now.”
My sister screeching down the line made me pull the phone away from my ear for a couple of seconds. “Wow. London has all your good luck wrapped into one. You must really like him if you’re saying you’d go on a second date,” she said when she finally calmed down.
I wasn’t sure if it was because he was British or so freaking good looking or the way I felt his goodness in his core, but I did like Dexter. The kissing didn’t hurt either, and the job offer hardly dented those fresh feelings. But I’d have to bury them deep.
“And anyway, who says you can’t date the boss?” Autumn asked.
“It would be a breach of duty or an abuse of power or something.”
“Jesus, you’re only going to be there a few more weeks. Maybe you should abuse your power with him.”
I loved that my sister was so carefree about things but we weren’t the same. I had always been careful. It was who I was. Coming to London was a huge risk. Going on a date with Dexter was a bigger one. I needed to de-risk, focus on what I came to London for in the first place. Life wasn’t full of second chances, but I was getting mine and I wasn’t going to throw it away, not even for another kiss with the best kisser I’d ever known.
“Nope. There’s no way I’m fooling around with my boss. But I am going to take the internship. I came to London for experience and if it’s a question of accepting a helping hand or . . .” I didn’t dare think about the alternative. “Or not getting that experience, then I’d be a fool to—”
“Well, finally. I’m glad you came around to my way of thinking. You need to jump at life’s opportunities.”
I hoped she took her own advice. “How’s Greg?” I asked.
“Oh, he’s a loser,” she said. “You know it. I know it. But the sex is okay so he’ll do until I graduate.”
“Autumn! I can’t believe you just said—”
“And don’t worry, I’m on the pill and I still make sure he wears a condom. The last thing I need is to get pregnant by him.”
Perhaps it was the distance that allowed Autumn to admit the truth, but thank God she was focused on her future as much as I was.
“I thought you really liked Greg?”
“He’s fine for now. I’ve always defended him because you’ve been so anti-him.” I started to object but she shut me down. “Don’t try to deny it. And I understood that you didn’t want him to hold me back, but I wouldn’t let that happen. Especially not now.”
“Not now? What’s happened? Did something happen with Dad?” I’d warned him not to ask Autumn for money but I knew he wouldn’t be able to resist it. Who else would he ask if I wasn’t there?
“No, nothing’s happened with Dad—he’s asked me for money practically every day since you left, but I expected that. I mean seeing you follow your dreams and go to London, even though I know that leaving me was tough—it’s inspiring, Hollie. I knew you were strong and responsible and resilient and all of those good things. But to see you be so driven, so freaking determined to get out of this shit hole—well, I’m not wasting the opportunities that I have either.”
My ribcage lifted in my body as I listened to my sister say everything I’d ever hoped I’d hear from her. “I love you,” I said.
“I love you more. I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done. Now it’s time for you to shift your focus from me to yourself.” I didn’t want to abandon Autumn and it did feel uncomfortable to accept help from Dexter—a virtual stranger—but if Autumn hadn’t accepted help from me, she wouldn’t be about to graduate. If my parents hadn’t accepted my help they’d be—God knows where. I had to work past my discomfort with receiving help, even if I was way more accustomed to giving it. “You’ve sacrificed enough. Go start your job with this new fancy jewelry company and grab yourself a life outside Sunshine, Oregon.”