This Changes Everything by Jennifer Ashley Page 0,35
to that. Some marriages do work out, stretching into decades of contentedness. I think Calandra and Ryan have that chance—I remember telling her that.
It’s different, I want to argue, but I remain silent. I’m at a crossroads, one thrust upon me. Three and a half weeks ago, I hadn’t run into Zach and I hadn’t known Brent would contact me. My life had run along on its usual tracks, no deviations. Now everything was about to change.
Great Aunt Mary takes me back into the dining room. No one has noticed me going, as they’re all still settling themselves at the table. Great Aunt Mary motions to two places at the table’s corner.
“Sit here with me, dear.”
It’s a command. I sit.
The lunch / early dinner is family style. Platters and bowls of food are passed around, and we all help ourselves. I take little, but Great Aunt Mary slops plenty onto her plate.
“You don’t have enough of these tamales, honey.” She plops two small corn-husk wrapped, wonderful-smelling tamales in front of me. “Alan spent all day making and steaming these. His tamales are to die for.”
Alan is Mr. McLaughlin. I allow the tamales to stay.
Virginia McLaughlin stands up next to Alan at the head of the table. She tinks a knife to her glass until she has our attention.
“Before we start, I want us all to raise a toast to Calandra and Ryan. Our two kids home again, ready to begin life.”
“To Calandra and Ryan!” I join in the salute, so glad for Calandra. She deserves all the happiness she’s achieved.
I expect Virginia to have Ryan make a speech, but she only gives Calandra a kiss on the cheek and sits down. Everyone takes a sip of wine or beer or iced tea or water and prepares to attack the food.
“Hang on.” Now Zach is on his feet, next to Ryan. “I have something I want to say.”
The conversations that have started up fade again. I assume Zach will congratulate his brother and new sister, as he had at the wedding, maybe try out a few jokes.
Zach clears his throat. “The last time I got up and made a toast, a very wise woman told me to go with what was in my heart.”
He swings his gaze to me, his blue eyes penetrating.
Now everyone’s staring at me, but I see only Zach. I shakily lift my wine glass to him.
“So I’m speaking from the heart,” Zach continues. The room quiets down, the family and guests listening with interest. “I lost track of Abby Warren a long time ago, when she moved out of my life. We were kids then, but I was happy to have the chance to reconnect with her, glad that Calandra and Ryan brought her back to me. Now she tells me she might have to move again, even farther away this time.”
A series of sad ohs, fill the room. Zach’s family, except for Calandra, look at me in surprise. Great Aunt Mary pats my hand.
“She’s been offered a terrific job, a good opportunity for her, so I understand why she wants to go. But Abby also gave me great advice when she told me to speak from the heart.” Zach fixes me with his gaze once more. “My heart says that I don’t want to lose her again.”
My pulse starts to throb, faster, faster. I’m burning inside, scared and hopeful at the same time.
“I’ve been talking it over with Mom and Dad, and they’ve decided it’s a great idea. So I’m going to make a counteroffer to you, Abby. A job at McLaughlin Renovations, doing our marketing and ad sales—help we truly need. No more Austin on the side of a bus.”
Everyone bursts out laughing, including Austin. “Aw, come on,” Austin shouts. “My one chance at fame.”
Zach watches me without smiling as he waits for the laughter to die down. “The salary is not as high probably, but you’ll save on airfare visiting your mom. Plus, you’ll get a window. I know that’s important to you.”
Zach stops, as though he’s run out of words.
I sit with my mouth open. Stunned. Zach offering me what I want—a job in my hometown with freedom from Mr. Beale. No more personality-less cubicles. I’d have the warm friendliness I see between the McLaughlins, and I won’t have to move out of state, or even out of the Phoenix area.
Virginia nods at me. “We decided this even before you told Zach about your job offer in California. He’s right—we need someone like