Page 62 of All I Want Is Love
Aspen grins. “I keep saying the same, just for different reasons.” He looks up when the doorbell chimes, and Robincomes in. “Oh, Robin.” He nods at us. “He wasn’t feeling well, so I looked after his bookstore. Let me check on him for a minute.”
“Sure,” I say. “Make sure he doesn’t overwork when he feels sick.”
“Look who is talking,” Aspen teases.
“This reminds me,” Hector intervenes. “What’s your price, Leo? This is legitimate work. I definitely want and need to pay you.”
“I have not thought about it yet,” I admit.
“I am sure you have some comparable numbers for how much planning such an event costs,” Hector says. “We paid a shit-ton of money during the last years for nothing, so I am not against paying the same to you for pulling off something that’d actually be good.”
My heart makes a tentative leap of joy. Being self-employed? I haven’t even considered it. My mind was always set on design and marketing, but actually co-organizing an event, planning the whole decoration aspect and maybe even more of it sounds like something I would have a lot of fun with. I guess I could branch out from there and help some of the smaller shops here and in adjacent towns. And maybe I could pick up the marketing aspect again by designing logos and helping with social media.
“Think about it,” Hector says warmly.
“I will.”
twenty-two
*LEO*
Iam sitting on the floor surrounded by folders and drawing paper, trying to bring my visions to life, when Soren drops by. Once my talk with Hector was wrapped up, I immediately went shopping for necessities—namely, things I‘ll need to get some work done.
I promised Hector I would send him my plans by tomorrow. He also said he would set up a meeting with his wife, so we can make a shopping trip and organize everything I need. Not sure how she is going to pull that off in such a short time, but Hector sounded confident in her abilities.
“You are still working?” Soren asks, putting the boxes of food on the kitchen counter before approaching me. He sits down next to me, kissing the side of my head.
I gaze at my watch. “Shit, yes! I completely forgot the time.”
Soren laughs. “Don’t worry. I am happy you are enjoying your time. I assume the talk with Hector went well?”
“It did, though you could have warned me that he wouldn’t be a sexy Spanish guy.”
Soren laughs. “You expected a sexy Spanish guy? How could I have known?”
“You definitely knew,” I frown. “Don’t play innocent.”
Soren pulls me into a hug, nuzzling his nose into my hair before peppering me with kisses.
“Okay,” I laugh. “I forgive you.”
“I assume you both found a middle ground on what to expect for the fair?” Soren asks.
“Yes, actually, we agreed on much more than that,” I continue explaining everything to Soren, the plans for the upcoming event, but also for next year.
Soren looks genuinely surprised. “You really put a lot of thought into this, Leo.”
“Of course I did. Ever since I knew the mayor wanted to meet me, I have tried to figure out what I could do.” I pause. “I… I still get anxiety attacks when I think about working with my digital tools, but I’ve realized drafting by hand and making plans for such an event… It’s fun, you know? And I think I am good at it. I have never considered this as a job, but if you think about it closely, decoration and crafts are also art, aren’t they?”
Soren’s expression is serious, so much so that I hold my breath at what he has to say. “They are. You are a very creative person, and I am happy you found your muse again.”
“Even if it’s not the same as before?” I ask quietly.
“Does it matter? Who is telling you what you should or should not do with your talent? I think it’s fantastic that you found something that you enjoy, that motivates you, and that still lets you do your art. Maybe one day you will enjoy graphic design again, but you don’t have to force it.”
I perk up at his words. “You really think so? I am so glad you are supporting me.”
Soren snuggles me in his arms. “Did you think I wouldn’t support you?”
