I wipe a salty tear from my cheek. I hardly ever cry, but for the first time in three months, I’m not crying because of Dan or Mia, or because life didn’t work out the way I hoped it would.
I’m crying tears of joy, because I know, for the first time since I met him, that Dan and I were never meant to be. And it feels good to be moving forward.
It feels good to be doing something for me.
I really hope this job works out. I need it to work out.
Six.
Evianna
I pull up to the Wilder house just as the sun is starting to peek through the trees. It’s 6:30 a.m.—my god. I blink, trying to wake myself up. I chug the last of my coffee and park in my designated spot. Cecelia told me where to park—next to the Porsche Cayenne. Except… it’s not there, so I pull into the spot I think is next to it.
It’ll have to do.
I debate whether or not I should show up at the front door with my suitcase, or if I should just leave it in the car. I glance down at my outfit. I’m much more sensibly dressed today in skinny jeans, sneakers, and a loose, cowl-necked, sporty sweatshirt. I decide to bring everything in now. Besides, nothing says professionalism more than showing up at your new live-in job with a suitcase at 6:30 a.m., right?
I open my trunk and lift the heavy suitcase out. It smacks against the concrete and falls onto its side. I look around, wondering if any of the rich neighbors are wondering who is making such a ruckus so early on a Monday morning.
I lug it behind me as I walk towards the front door. I ring the doorbell, and after a few seconds, I hear heels clacking on the marble. The door opens.
“Ah, Evianna! Welcome, welcome,” Cecelia says, kissing each of my cheeks before taking the suitcase from me. “Let me,” she says, grabbing the handle. I try to dissuade her, but she moves my hand out of the way and leads me through the house. “I’ll show you to your living quarters, and then you can come inside and meet Bria. She’s not awake yet. Unfortunately, Nick had to leave for work a few minutes ago, so you just missed him. He’ll be back tomorrow morning.”
He’s gone again? Geez, is this guy ever home?
I nod, and she leads me down the hall and through the kitchen. She opens the back door and guides me outside. The guesthouse is a small building on the edge of the property, and it looks cute and quaint from here. I also notice a freestanding barbeque, a pool, and several pool loungers dotted around the perimeter of the lap pool.
Now that’s what I’m talking about.
“There’s a separate entrance over there,” Cecelia says, pointing to a gate beyond the pool. “If you’re ever out late,” she adds. “You’ll have keys to the main house, which you’re welcome to use whenever you want.” She stops in front of the guesthouse. “Like I mentioned before, just ask Nick about the guests. A couple of girlfriends are fine, family is fine… but he’s just not sure how Bria might react if she saw you with a boy—”
I interrupt her. My mother always told me never to interrupt someone when they’re speaking, but I feel I must explain my situation.
“Cecelia,” I say politely. “You don’t have to worry about boys with me. I just had my heart broken. Boys are the farthest things from my mind.” I smile reassuringly, and she nods.
“Just a formality,” she says, touching my arm gently and beaming. “Anyhow, this is your living area.” She opens the door, and I take in the modern look and feel. I like it. A lot. “You have a full kitchen over there,” she says, pointing to a small but nice kitchen with modern appliances. “And the washer and dryer are over there,” she adds, pointing to a small room off of the kitchen. “There is one bedroom and one full bathroom. I think you should have everything you need. Please feel free to decorate however you want.”