Page 50 of The Last Key
“They’re selling the house?” Devon asks.
“Yep. I overheard them talking about it last night. They haven’t officially told me yet, but they’re going to. It doesn’t surprise me. My dad has been working long distance for a New York company for years. They were just being nice enough not to move me again.”
“Like they did for a job your dad ended up hating?” Claire rolls her eyes.
I bump my leg against hers. “Hey, it worked out okay.” My eyes go to Devon. “My life wouldn’t be the same without you two.”
“Oh, god. Please do not get sentimental on me. You two can hold each other and cry when I’m not around. I’d rather scrape my ear canal with something sharp.”
Devon chuckles as I shake my head. “Fine then. Where do you think we’ll be in ten years?” I ask.
“Not living here if there’s a god above,” Claire says.
“No, you’ll be too busy being a boss bitch CEO of some massive company,” Devon says.
“I don’t know about massive, but I want to run my own company,” Claire says. Then she points at me. “And you’ll be the bigshot journalist writing about it. And all your TV and book reviews, like you do for the school paper.”
I smile at that. “That’s the dream. Who knows what journalism will be like at that point, but hopefully, I’ll get into one of the big online news sites. Writing, editing, bringing people together and starting conversation.” I’m nearly giddy as I say the words. “Assuming I get there.”
“You will,” Devon says. “You’re too good at it not to succeed.” I scoff, but he doubles down. “I’m serious, Kend. You will.”
“And what about you, model boy?” Claire teases. “You going to take the underwear world by storm?”
Devon smiles coyly. “Maybe. Don’t worry, I’ll send you some signed photos to hang in your office.”
“Good. Cause we better still be friends.”
“Ooh, now who’s getting sentimental?” I tease.
“Yeah, yeah. I will miss you, assholes, but we’ll keep in touch regularly while we take the world by storm.”
“Here’s to that,” I agree.
Writer and editor. Rising through the ranks. That was the dream. It all seemed so simple at the time. Go for what you want and get it. Of course, I also thought I’d understand everything and have my life perfectly together at twenty-eight. Cue the laugh track. Life slams a few doors in your face, tosses you around, and you have to figure out the new path all while still not knowing a goddamn thing.
“Is it okay if I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up?” I ask Gladys.
She turns from the computer, dropping her glasses off her nose and letting them hang from the chain around her neck as she smiles at me.
“I didn’t know, either. I grew into it. You don’t have to know right now. Or ever. You can do whatever feels right. It’s not about what you do, it’s about who you are. Figure that out and let it guide you. Who are you, Kennedy Baker? Who do you want to be? And will taking that job in New York help you be that person?”
Good question.
“No one else can choose your life for you. Take your time, look inside yourself, and you’ll find your way. You have too beautiful of a heart not to.”
With a wink, she pops her glasses back on and turns to the computer again.
Who am I? Who do I want to be?
I’m still not sure I know the answers to either of those questions.
Devon walks toward the desk, smiling brightly.
Right now, all I know is I’m happy.
That’s half the battle, right?
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
