The next two weeks pass in a blur of quitting my job, packing, moving out of my apartment, saying my
goodbyes to almost everyone I’ve ever known, and reassuring my mom I’ll still come home for the big holidays.
When I told my boss at Stellar Investments I was leaving, she was more in awe than disappointed. If Invested
Enterprises offered her a job, she’d jump ship too, she said.
“At least I’ll have som eplace to crash when I start touring,” Skylar tells me, helping me lug my two oversized
suitcases to the front hallway. My ride to the airport is on its way. I said goodbye to my mom before she left for
work and my eyes are still red from crying. It’s surprisingly hard to leave them.
When I told Penelope I wouldn’t be shipping anything to New York because everything I owned fit into two
suitcases, she insisted the relocation stipend would still be included as part of my signing bonus. It’s company
policy. So, until an hour ago, I had thirty thousand dollars sitting there innocently in my bank account like it
belonged there. Which means that I had thirty times more cash in my bank account than I’ve ever had in my life.
What does a person even do with that much money?
Helping out the people I love felt like the best use of it. So, around an hour ago, I d eposited ten grand each into
my mom’s and Sky’s accounts. Which Sky hasn’t noticed yet.
I open the front door and Sky and I just stand there for a few seconds. My sister tucks a strand of my hair
behind my ear. “I’m really going to miss
having you around. Even if you are a pain in the ass,” she smiles sort of sadly.
“I put some more money into your account,” I tell her. “I want you to be able to concentrate exclusively on
your music for a while.”
“Dusty, you don’t have to do that. Save your money for New York.” “I had some extra.” “Are you sure? I’ll
pay you back. For everything. I really mean that.” “You can pay me back when you’re a superstar. I put some into
mom’s account too. So she doesn’t have to work so hard.”
My sister gives me a heartfelt hug. “You really are the best sister. Thank you for believing in me. I won’t let
you down.”
“You never have, sis. Good luck with the gigs.” The car drives up. It’s more like a limo, paid for by my new
job. “Now go and slay New York, Dusty Rose. They won’t know what’s hit them up there in the Big Apple. Make
all your dreams come true.”
“I will if you will.” “Deal,” she laughs. The driver arrives at the door to take my bags for me. I give Sky one
more hug. “Those dreams, by the way,” Sky calls after me, “include balance. I’ll look forward to hearing all about
the dating scene in New York City.”
“Sure thing.” I never ended up telling Sky about Ace. Everything has been so busy, I haven’t had the chance.
And there was really no point. Ace is gone.
But she’s right, of course. My love life—aside from that one crazy, beautiful night where I totally lost my
sanity and self-control and loved every minute of it—might as well have tumbleweeds rolling through it.
Once I get to New York I’ll forget all about Ace. No, you won’t. I’ll meet someone even more perfect.
Impossible. And I’ll get on with the rest of my life without him in it.