kind. And even though I was there for a short time, I wasn’t going to hesitate to reach out to Isabelle for some suggestions.
"I've been living here for over fifteen years,” Josie said. “So I know my way around the Big Apple. If there's anything you need, just let us know. I'll give you my phone number."
“I’ll give you mine too,” Isabelle added.
As I typed in their numbers, I couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed. Why were they welcoming me with open arms? I was a perfect stranger. Yes, I was Ian’s friend’s sister, but they didn’t know me from Adam.
Since I moved around after graduation, I didn't maintain any close friendships. Josie and Isabelle would be easy to befriend. I liked them instantly.
“Do you want to see something specific in the park?” Isabelle asked.
“Not really. I’m open to anything.”
“We were going to suggest the North Woods trail,” she replied, and we all nodded in agreement.
“Sounds great to me.”
After a few short minutes of walking, I realized the deeper we went into the woods, the more I felt like I was in a forest and not in New York. Tall, thick trees surrounded us, and we even walked by a small waterfall. A multitude of birds chirped around us; it truly was a magnificent place to see.
“When do you start the new job?” Isabelle asked as we were crossing a rustic bridge. Josie was carrying Sophie in her arms, and Ian had the folded stroller over his shoulder. He kept looking around us, shooing everyone to one side if large groups passed us. His protective streak was strong! He and Henry were definitely two peas in a pod. I couldn’t stop checking out Ian’s biceps. And that ass. His presence was overwhelming my senses. Oh wow.
"I start tomorrow. I'm very excited. I've wanted to come here for a couple of years, and now it's finally happening.” Almost tripping on a vine, I gathered my balance and my thoughts and continued. “I want to learn everything. Hopefully, in a couple of years, I'll have enough knowledge to open my own restaurant."
"In New York?" Josie asked.
"I could never afford to open it in New York, but honestly, I'm used to moving around the country. So I will just follow the dream and see where I find a place I can afford. Anyway, that's still a few years away. So I'm not making any specific plans yet.” I was twenty-three. I was hoping to open my own place in my early thirties. Until then, I was going to save as much money as possible and soak up all the culinary knowledge I could. I couldn’t wait to move to New Orleans and learn the ins and outs of Southern cuisine. The mix of Creole and Deep South foods intrigued me.
“But it’s good to have a goal in mind,” Josie said.
I nodded in agreement. We talked a bit about the city as we walked, but we mostly just took in our beautiful surroundings. The air was cool and crisp, and the smells of the forest were intoxicating. I was already planning my next hike; maybe Harper would go with me... or maybe Ian.
“By the way, Brayden and I are going to postpone the wedding,” Isabelle said out of the blue. I assumed he was her fiancé.
“Why?” Ian said. “What did he do?”
He transformed right in front of my eyes from laid-back to overprotective brother, and I liked it a little too much. How was that even possible? I wasn’t a fan of Henry when he got like this.
Isabelle burst out laughing. “Nothing, but I’m three months along now. I’d be five months pregnant for the party and the reception, and I just don’t think I can deal with the wedding and the paparazzi while also worrying if all the stress is affecting the baby.” Turning to me, she explained, “My fiancé is Brayden Clarke.”
My jaw dropped, and my voice sounded high-pitched as I exclaimed, “The lead singer of GreenFire?”
They were my favorite band. I was stunned that I didn’t know this, that Ian didn’t mention it earlier. Not that he had an opportunity, but still.
Isabelle nodded. Ian appeared more relaxed and said, “Okay, that sounds reasonable. So when are you going to have the wedding?”
“Not sure, but we’ll keep everyone posted. Okay, where do we go from here?”
We reached a crossroad. There was a huge map in the center, but I was terrible at reading these kinds of maps.
“Right, looks like we hang