Page 15 of My Infatuation with Isabella

Watching her flourish makes me feel like more of a failure. I would give anything to have her drive and determination. No, scratch that. I do have drive and determination. What I need is direction, something to love the way Cat loves art. I want to find something I can pour my heart into and I just...can’t.

“You’ll love it here,” Cat says. “Promise me you’ll come over, even if it’s just for a week.”

I giggle. “I can fly over, but chances are you’ll be gone by the time I get there.”

“True. I’ve been so busy. I’ll probably only be here for another week or so, then I’m going to another branch. That one is quite big, though, so I’ll be there for a month.”

My eyebrows furrow. “When is this contract going to end?”

Her eyes widen slightly because it came out sort of snappy, but she still smiles. “Uh...what’s with the attitude?”

“Sorry. It’s just...it seems like this contract is never going to end and I want you to come home already. I miss you.”

“I miss you, too.” She lets out a heavy sigh. “But this is still going to carry on for a few more months. It’s opening so many doors for me. I can’t abandon it now. I’m getting my name out there and more clients are showing interest – all because of the connections I’m making through this new client. It’s like I’m becoming...my ownbrand...and it's so exciting!”

Watching the joy on her face almost brings tears to my eyes. “I’m happy for you, Cat.”

“Thanks.” Her smile fades. “At least you are. Scott still isn’t talking to me.”

“Maybe he just needs more time.”

She shakes her head. “No. I think he’s dead serious about this. He broke up with metwo monthsago. He ended our relationship, hung up on me, and I haven’t heard from him since. I call him every day and he doesn’t answer. I send him messages constantly and I can see he reads them, but he doesn’t respond. I keep trying, but...he doesn’t want to make it work.” She quickly swipes a tear off her cheek, and I can hear the hurt in her voice when she speaks again. “I don’t know what else to do.”

“I’ll talk to him, ask him to stop being a douche.”

“He doesn’t know how to be anything else.” She half-smiles. “Let’s stop talking about him before I end up bawling my eyes out. How’s Tommy?”

“Great. Mom and I are still getting used to him and Keith living here with us. Tom leaves wet towels on the floor, and you know how mom hates that, and Keith has that same weird habit dad used to have where he wakes up at the crack of dawn and plays his music at full volume while he dances in the kitchen.”

Cat gasps. “Really? That’s so weird.”

“It is, though dad used to do it to Reggaeton. Keith dances to, like,oldschool R and B, Shaka Khan and Aretha Franklin.”

“That’sprehistoric,” she replies with a giggle.

“Yep, he takes a bit of getting used to. Everything is still a little weird but, Cat, I have never seen mom so happy. They are amazing together. I think we’re all just trying to learn each other’s quirks and habits now. So, yeah, we’re all doing great. Tom and I saw an ad the other day. They’re having auditions for a traveling circus, so we’re going for that. It’s a six to eight-month gig, so it will get us out of mom’s and Keith’s hair for a while. I’m excited. I hope we get it.”

“What if one of you gets it and the other one doesn’t?”

“We’ll still go together. The other one will just get a job in whichever town we end up in for the time we’re there.”

Her eyebrows crease. “What if you don’t get a job? Then you’re miles away from home and...What will you do? You can’t just leave home without having any sort of plan.”

Honestly, that thought didn’t even cross my mind. “We can both get jobs relatively easily. It’s keeping them that’s the problem. Besides, you do the same thing all the time.”

“No!” She adamantly shakes her head. “Ialwayshave a plan. I know where I’m going, and I have a contract and a predictable income. Don’t you think you’re being too impulsive? Your plan is to hop into a car and hope for the best?”

“No, that’s plan B. Plan A is for both of us to get a job at the circus.”

A wary giggle pops out of her. “Okay...well, make sure you call me and keep me posted. I want to hear everything.”

“I will. Love you, Cat.”

“Love you, too. I’ll call you again later when mom’s home.”

“Okay. Enjoy the rest of your day touring.”

“Trust me, I will. Chat later.”

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