Page 54 of Stick to the Plan
Istumble into the house and drop all of my work items in the home office. That shit can wait. Riley yips happily at my feet as I try to call Colin again. He should have landed by now. Why is it still going straight to voicemail?
In my bedroom, I wrestle out of my work clothes and throw them on the bed. I freeze, my sleeve still half-stuck on my arm, as an idea hits me.
Colin asked me to go with him to Vegas at least a dozen times, but I said no because of work. Well, work isn’t a problem anymore, now is it? A slow smile spreads across my lips as the thought takes hold. I can fly to Vegas and surprise him. His confession this morning left me speechless, but I am ready to give him my answer. I can just fly out there and tell him I feel the same way.
The more I think about it, the better the idea sounds. I can help him at the conference during the day. Even if I don’t work at C.A.E. anymore, this project is very important to Colin. And Colin is important to me.
Bright laughter bubbles up at the realization. Who knew quitting my job would be so freeing?
Now, I’m open to all sorts of spontaneous adventures. In a rush, I swiftly type out a group message as I head into mycloset to pack.
Breehive
Hey - can someone dog-sit for the week last minute?
LettyGo
I have a shoot in Bermuda on Thursday. What’s up?
Annabanana
I can if you drop him off - dinner rush is crazy tonight. Everything OK?
Breehive
Yea. I quit my job and decided to surprise Colin at the conference in Vegas.
Annabanana
Is this a joke?
LettyGo
WTF?
Why did you quit?
Annabanana
What do you mean surprise him?
LettyGo
I’m calling you…pick up…
Laughing, I accept the call and switch it to speaker as I sort through my clothes. “Hey. How many pairs of lingerie are too many to pack?”
There is stunned silence on the other end - but it only takes Nic a moment to get unstuck. “What the fuck happened, Brianna? We’ve been telling you to quit that job for a year and you refused. Why today? Areyou OK?”
I wince as her voice pitches louder and higher with every word. Damn, she’s going to blow my speaker. “Yea, I should have listened to you ages ago. Stone pushed me one step too far. He asked me to throw Colin under the bus for something he didn’t do. I just realized life is too short for this bullshit.”
“Ok,” Nic makes the word sound ten times as long. “So what is this about Vegas then?”
“Colin’s there at a green energy conference. He asked me to go a bunch of times, but I didn’t want to leave Stone unsupervised. Since I don’t work there anymore, there’s no reason I can’t take off for a week with my….boyfriend? Lover? I don’t know, we haven’t put a label on it.”
A heavy breath comes through the line, as if Nic is searching for patience. I can picture her rubbing her eyebrows like she does when stressed. “Bree, I don’t want to discourage this newfound spontaneity...God knows we’ve both been trying to get you to let loose since college...but are you sure this is a good idea?”
I take the phone off speaker and hold it up to my ear. “He told me he loved me this morning, Nic. Right before he left for the airport. I know it sounds crazy and too soon, but I’ve spent every day with this man for almost three months. He is supportive, and caring, and nothing like Chris or really any man I’ve met. I love him, Nic.”
