The team spent the next two days in the TDLR offices implementing plans to improve efficiency. The TDLR team seemed eager to cooperate, and as it turned out, grateful for the expediency of the changes. Their cooperation made the process relatively painless.
Just before lunch, one former co-worker whispered to Celia, "Haven't you been trying to make these changes for years? Good job, they're great. Dog can't even disagree."
On the second night, Celia had dinner with her folks and got a healthy dose of unwanted, unrealistic advice from her mother; obligation fulfilled. She even managed to squeeze in a lunch with Luna, who was thrilled with all her new adventures.
She couldn't shake the feeling that Rod was lurking somewhere nearby. She hadn't seen the truck; she hadn't seen him; it was just a feeling, and it made her uneasy for the duration of her stay. Each morning, as she left the hotel, she conducted a careful reconnaissance of the area before pulling out onto the street. But she was extra careful when they left the TDLR. If he wanted to find her, that would be the logical starting point.
The morning of day three rolled around. The closing meeting went without a hitch; Dog didn't bother to attend, and the team concluded their successful stay in Houston. As they pulled out of the TDLR parking lot, both Max and Celia looked for the red pickup. Satisfied Rod was nowhere to be found, they headed out.
An hour outside of Houston, Celia's phone buzzed. She glanced at the text, about to put it on her Bluetooth console screen, when she saw it was from Southwest Airlines.
She had entirely forgotten about accepting the invitation for the impulsive trip to New Orleans.
She closed her phone and decided to deal with the check-in later. After the Rod experience, talking to Maxine about this decision was out of the question. She had no desire to expose another side of her life.
Lord knows what she thinks of me as it is.
Back in Austin, Celia dropped Maxine at home and headed to her condo. Once settled and sitting on her naked balcony with her shirt undone, letting the night air caress her, she opened her phone and looked at the text. Taking the trip to New Orleans resided miles outside her comfort zone. She couldn't believe she had actually said yes to this crazy idea. Probably the worst idea ever. Who the hell goes on a trip to another city with someone they've met once, for an hour?
You are one crazy bitch, I gotta give you that.
Despite the New Orleans dilemma*,* no matter how hard she tried, Celia found her mind drifting back to Houston—and to Carter Lange. They'd promised each other to keep things light, but she knew how impossible that would be. Carter Lange lingered in her thoughts, more present than she cared to admit. The warmth she felt when she remembered his kindness, his generosity, and the openness of his heart made it clear: she was falling for him, whether she wanted to or not.
On top of which, it was easily the best sex she had ever had, not that she had much to compare it to.
But in her heart, she knew that it wasn't the right time. There were so many things she wanted to do, and getting tied to a relationship wasn't one of them.
How would that work, anyway? I doubt he'd be willing to move his business
and come to Austin. Not a chance. At the end of the day, I'd be the one expected to move back. No way I'm doing that.
There were so many obstacles in the way of their relationship ever working.
And if it somehow did, what would that mean for her?
He'll just be another man coming in to run my life. I am never going to be in
that position again.
Her heart broke with the unavoidable reality. Despite her feelings for Carter, despite his amazing generosity and consideration, Celia couldn't make it work in her head. The situation would inevitably force her to choose between her life, her independence, and Carter.
I am never letting that happen to me again.
Her eyes began to mist, and she knew what she had to do. It made her very sad.
Her phone buzzed. Looking at the screen, she dropped her head.
And the winner of the bad-timing award goes to Carter Lange!
Hey, been thinking about you. Hope your week went well.
"For Chrissake, why now?" She dropped the phone into her lap, then threw her hands into the air.
Damn, Carter, really?
If she kept him close, dangling the possibility of something long-term, she would give in and fall right back into his arms. Of all the truths she clung to, one burned brighter than the rest—she would never live in Houston again. Not for love, not out of desperation, not for anything this world could offer. That city was a closed chapter, sealed by her own resolve, and nothing could force her back.
Was there realistically any chance that he would abandon his very successful career and move to Austin? She couldn't see that happening.
Oh fuck.
The best thing to do was just end it now. Ending it is easier than dealing with the heartache of losing him later, of having him reject her because she wasn't willing to do what he needed her to do. There was no happy ending in this scenario. The kindest thing she could do now was take the sacrifice hit and help win the game.
She texted him before she chickened out.
Hi, sorry, not sure how to say this. You are so fun, and you're a great guy, but for me, it's all at the wrong time. I can't pursue anything with you right now because I'm not in the right headspace. It was so good to see you, but I know what's going to happen. I can't do that. I'm sorry if I led you on. You're the best.
A tear came to her eye as she stared at the phone, wondering if she should press send. It took five minutes for her to summon up the courage. Closing her eyes and shaking her head, she did what she had to do.
She waited for a reply. After ten minutes, nothing came. She assumed that he had either gone to bed or just didn't have anything to say.
A tear rolled down her cheek as she took a deep, sorrowful breath. Yet, of all the decisions she had made over the past few months—so many life-changing decisions— she knew in her heart that this was the best one she could have made.
Fifteen minutes later, she dried her eyes and opened the Southwest Airlines link, answered the questions, and checked in for her flight.