Page 145 of Worth the Fall
I was still grinning, my cheeks aching from how perfect my day was. “It was amazing.”
She reached into her bag and pulled out something fluffy. I tilted my head and watched her.
It was a throw pillow. She puffed it a few times and placed it beside her on the cushion.
I got up from my desk to read the tiny words embroidered on the yellow pillow.
“You’re not truly enjoying your life until the joy is so big it completely crowds out the worry.”
My arms were around Martha, practically squeezing the life out of her as I hugged her. It was from our last conversation before I left for the rodeo circuit. She had told me to go out and find what makesmehappy.
I had done exactly that and fallen in love in the process.
“Allegra,” she choked out, “I can’t breathe!”
I let her go, wiping happy tears away from my heavy makeup. “Thank you,” I whimpered.
“Get your bag, we’re going out to celebrate your first day as my boss!” She ordered, never one to take a compliment.
I’d have to implement Colton’s advice with her one day.
“I’m not technicallyyourboss,” I said as I grabbed my bag off the hook.
~~~
I let Martha choose where we were going out tonight, because she had excellent taste I knew I could always trust.
She chose my favorite rooftop bar.
I was on cloud nine.
Thirteen floors above the city, drinking something incredibly fruity and stuffing fries in my face.
“Last time I saw you eat anything other than a salad was when I made chicken noodle soup when you had the stomach flu!” Martha commented, pointing with her massive burger.
I wiped ketchup off my face, covering the napkin in my nude makeup. “You were right, Martha, I’m a changed woman.”
She took an enormous bite. “Remind me to thank Colton for reintroducing you to fried foods. That kid brings out the happiest Allegra I’ve ever seen.”
I felt my chest fillwith pride at that comment.
Colton did bring out the best in me. Gosh, I missed him. I had literally not been more than a few feet away from him for the past few weeks, and now that he was out in the middle of nowhere, without service, it was making me anxious to see him again–or even hear his voice for a few minutes.
Martha and I chatted casually about our next work projects, her kids, and what they were doing with their lives, andof course, how the past few weeks in the country were.
“I’m glad you brought that cute kid back to Chicago,” Martha said on her third round as we talked about Billy’s incredible eye. “She’s gonnabe great for the team.”
I finished my first drink and smiled as the bartender set a fresh refill in front of me. “Oh yeah, she’s hilarious and insanely talented. I wish I had her when I was on that landscaping business project.”
“Yes! I would love to see what she could come up with for my National Parks assignment I have coming up.”
“If it starts after the NFR, she’s all yours.”
“Dan, turn the T.V. up!” Someone shouted. “You guys gottasee this guy, he’s wild!”
Martha looked over her shoulder at the big group of guys huddled around a high-top table. The table was covered with empty beer glasses, and the waitress was on her way toward them with another round. “Bachelor party?”
I surveyed the crowd. “Oh yeah. They’re hitting the clubs after this!”
