The Friendship List(111)

He stopped again and stared at her. “Mom, Coach is going to be my stepdad.” He grinned. “The guys are going to be so jealous. And for the new house, Lissa and I can’t share a bathroom. She will hog it all the time because you know how girls are.”

“How long have the two of you been talking about Coach and me getting together?”

“I don’t know. A couple of years. She swore there was something going on, but I didn’t think you were interested in him at all. I mean you never dated and stuff. I was worried about you.”

She thought about the conversation she’d overheard nearly two months ago. “That was very sweet of you, but not necessary. I’m going to be just fine.”

“I know. You’ll have Coach. I’m happy. This is a great day.”

She linked arms with him and thought about the promise that was their future. “It really is, Coop. Come on. Let’s go home.”

  Unity signed everywhere the escrow officer indicated. It took only a few minutes to finish with all the paperwork.

“That’s it,” the pretty, dark-haired woman said with a smile. “The buyers have already signed, so we should fund later today and close tomorrow. As we discussed, the proceeds will be wired to your bank and be available the day after.”

Unity nodded. Her throat was tight and she felt a little disoriented, but otherwise, she was holding it all together. Beside her, Ellen squeezed her arm.

“It’s a wonderful home,” Felicity, her real estate agent, said as they all stood. “The buyers are very excited.”

“I wish I’d remodeled that master bath for them,” Unity said, pulling the key out of her jeans pocket and handing it over.

“They appreciate the lower price on the house and the chance to make it how they want it,” the agent told her.

They all shook hands then she and Ellen walked out into the bright fall morning. The days were noticeably shorter and the leaves were changing. Time marched on, Unity thought.

“You okay?” Ellen asked.

“I think so. It’s weird that the house is sold.” She smiled at her friend. “For the six hundredth time, you didn’t have to take time off work to be here with me.”

“Oh, I think I did. It was two hours. No big deal. How are you feeling?”

“Scared. Happy. Hopeful.” She laughed. “So normal considering the circumstances.”

“When are you driving over to Seattle?”

“Now.”

Ellen hugged her. “You’re a wonderful person and he would be a fool to not fall at your feet and instantly propose.”

“At this point I would be happy if he just wanted to go out with me.”

“He will.”

Unity was less sure, but knew there was only one way to find out.

“Just be back by Thanksgiving,” Ellen teased. “You’re my maid of honor and I need you at the wedding. Plus you’re staying with Lissa and Cooper while we’re on our honeymoon.”

“That’s three weeks away. I’ll be back long before that.”

“You never know. Things could take a turn for the I-don’t-want-to-get-out-of-bed.”

If only, Unity thought.

She opened the door to the small four-wheel-drive SUV she’d recently purchased. “I’ll let you know what happens. Say hi to your handsome fiancé.”

“You know I will. I love you and I can drive over if you need me to be there.”

“Thanks. I do know that. Love you, too.”

Ellen waved and got in her Subaru. Unity followed her out of the parking lot before turning toward I90 and going west.

There had already been snow in the mountains but the highway was bare and dry. Unity sang along with the radio in an effort to distract herself from her nerves. She practiced her calm breathing and told herself whatever happened, she could be proud of how far she’d come. Even without Thaddeus in her life, she had healed and if he didn’t want her, eventually she would find someone who did. Because she was ready to be in a relationship with a good man. He was her first choice but if it didn’t work out, she wasn’t going to lose herself. Not again.

She made good time into Bellevue and drove into the parking garage. Minutes later, she was in an elevator, being whisked up to one of the top floors. She went into the office and gave her name to the receptionist.

“I don’t have an appointment, but if he has a few moments, I would really like to speak with him.”

The woman nodded, then picked up the phone. She gave Unity’s name and the message. In the seconds before there was an answer, Unity felt her heart pound. She was both cold and hot and a little shaky but determined.

The receptionist put down the phone and smiled. “He’s free right now. Do you know your way back?”

Unity nodded and started toward his office. She wasn’t sure her legs were going to continue to support her, but she kept moving and then she was walking into the big open space with the killer view. But all she cared about was the man standing beside his desk.

He looked good. Tall and fit and handsome enough to make her go weak all over. His gaze was steady and she had no idea what he was thinking, but for now it was enough to simply see him and be in the same room with him.

“This is unexpected,” he told her. “How are you?”