Page 84 of Fall Apart

I grab my phone, showing her the calendar reminder for the company banquet. “Would you come to this dinner with me as my date? I know it’s short notice with it being next Saturday, but it’s hosted by JSC. Kayleigh should be there too. It’s a black tie thing, the whole nine yards. It’s mostly just for important customers and some investors, but-”

She cuts me off. “I’d love to be your date.” She pulls my head down, bringing her lips to mine. “Because I bet you in a tux is downright criminal and now I have another excuse to go shopping.”

CHAPTER 36

LIZZY

BLISSFUL BUBBLE

We’ve only been backfrom Bend for a few days, but it already feels like we've fallen into such a blissful little bubble together. The last few nights, we’ve either made dinner or ordered in food. I love that he already knows better than to ask me to cook. We’ve spent the nights reading together by the fire or working out or just enjoying being snuggled up on his couch.

And the sex.

I knew there were perks to dating a man a few years younger than me, but he's relentless. He gives me everything I want and even some things I didn’t know I needed. All of it without judgement or questioning, just that always present look of love and need that he shows me.

It just feels like everything has gotten better now that we’re actually dating. Which makes dinner with Jessica tonight bittersweet. It’s one of the first nights in weeks I’ve been away from Clay, but I was looking forward to seeing her and now it’s just the two of us.

“So your husband didn’t come with you after all?” I look at Jessica from across the table.

She shrugs, taking another sip of her wine. “Nope. Trip got pushed back. It’s too warm in Park City now, so no spring skiing. He decided to stay home and save his vacation time.”

I take a deep breath before taking a long sip of my wine.

“Good, because I wanted to talk to you about actual work related things.”

She flicks her eyebrows, telling me to go on.

“Well, just one big thing.”

She props an elbow on the table, holding her chin between her thumb and forefinger. “You’re really building up the anticipation here, girl.” She smirks back at me, taking another drink.

“I’m taking the plant up on their offer. I’m going to be here full time.” I start rambling a mile a minute, nervous to tell my closest work friend, my mentor, that I won’t be working for her anymore. “Obviously, we’ll still work together on projects and things here and there. And I’m always going to be grateful-”

She reaches a hand across the table, grabbing mine. “Lizzy, it’s fine. I was hoping this is what you wanted to tell me.”

I look back at her, remembering how she recruited me to Fischer and how much I’ve grown under her. But I’ve been in Utah nearly two months now and I feel like I’ve grown so much personally by removing myself from my life back in Ohio.

I squeeze her hand. “It just feels right. I want another new challenge. This has been the fresh start I needed. Thank you for understanding and thank you for suggesting this in the first place.”

She shrugs and winks. “I had a feeling it would be a good fit, especially after how much you raved about your Wyoming trip and how happy Veronica is now.” She lets go of my hand, grabbing her wine glass and swirling it around before grinning back at me. “Now, would thatroommateof yours have anything to do with this too?”

I feel my cheeks flush and a nervous laugh escape me. I peer at her over the rim of my wine glass. “Boyfriend now, not roommate. He certainly made the choice easier, but this is still for me. He doesn’t even know I’ve made up my mind yet.”

“I never thought I’d see the day that Lizzy Frank would get tied down by another man.”

I laugh, this time out of pure amusement. “You wouldn’t say that if you met him.” I smile to myself, thinking about Clay is the exact opposite of that. He’s the only person I’ve known that’s completelyaccepted all of me and wants more. “He knows I’m going to do whatever I want and he’s more than ok with that.”

She shakes her head in approval. “Good for you, girl. I’m happy for you.”

When I get backto Clay’s house, what might beourhome sooner than later, I’m more than excited when I find him reading by the fire with Ani. He’s shirtless, wearing just a pair of gray sweats and his glasses with a glass of whiskey on the end table. This is the sight I dream of coming home to.

And now, knowing that I’m going to be living in Utah full time, giving us a real chance, it doesn’t feel like such a crazy dream.

I walk in from the kitchen and Ani gets up from his bed, coming over to me. “Who’s mygood boy?” I lean down to scratch him behind his ears, which I learned is his absolute favorite spot. I look over to see Clay smiling and rolling his eyes over his glasses at me. “Jealous?” I give him a playful look.

He scoffs. “We’ll see what you’re calling me later, but I doubt it will begood boy.”

I hum thoughtfully, walking towards his chair. When he sees me in my black sweater dress, the one I had on that night at Roxy’s, he sets down his book and watches me stride up next to him.

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