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“Farrah, do you remember when you got pregnant with Levi?”

I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. I’d been nineteen at the time. Caleb and I had only been dating for a few months, and along came a baby. I was barely affording college tuition and my half of the rent while working nearly full-time waiting tables. It had been a lot to manage as a teenager, even before having a child to care for.

Mia said, “No one would have blamed you if you dropped out of college, but you made it work. You found that church nursery to help with childcare at a fraction of the regular rates, you encouraged Caleb to get his insurance license, and even brought Levi to class with you when you had to. You were relentless about getting your degree and providing for yourself and that baby.”

“And then I wasted all that effort to be a stay-at-home mom,” I said, already knowing I’d never go back and change a thing, even if I could. Staying home and taking care of the kids was the one thing I’d never regret. “Not wasted, just...”

“I know,” Mia said gently, her turn signal still flicking.

“My gosh, how long have you been at that turn?” I asked.

Mia muttered, “Shit, forgot to turn it off.”

I adjusted my grip on the steering wheel, smiling at my friend.

“The point is, you’re going to make it happen, because if anyone can, it’s you.”

“I wish I believed in myself as much as you do,” I said. “But what if I can’t do it? What if I fail?”

“Well then you might need to move out of Dallas.”

“WHAT?”

There was no humor in her voice as she said, “Everyone knows Gage Griffen. He’s not vindictive, but he’s honest. If they ask him why he let you go, he’ll tell them the truth.”

I bit my lip. “You really think I can do this?”

“Absolutely,” she said. “And I know he’s intimidating at first, but he really is a good guy. He expects the best from people, but he gives his best too.”

“Good, because the thought of sitting in the same room with him for three months is freaking me out.”

“No need to freak. I’ll be in and out too, and you’ll be so busy you won’t even notice him.”

Doubtful, but I said, “Thanks for the support, Mia. I know you went out on a limb to get this job for me. I don’t want to disappoint you either.”

“Never, but I gotta go. Just pulled up to my parents’ place.”

“Tell them I said hi,” I said.

“I will. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

We hung up, and even though I still had doubts, I couldn’t back down.

This salary was more than generous, and no one was calling me back for another job. In fact, I was getting rejections by email practically every hour because I’d been so dedicated to my job search. Unfortunately someone my age with no job experience wasn’t exactly a hot commodity. Even the fast-food chain closest to my kids’ school didn’t want me in the kitchen.

And the thought of having my own job, my own money that didn’t get filtered through Caleb’s budgeting system or come through child support... it was pure exhilaration.

In just a few paychecks, I’d have enough to put a down payment on a decent rental, buy myself some shoes that didn’t look like they came from an eighties thrift store, maybe even get some extra professional clothes so I didn’t have to borrow from my mom or return after a single wear.

I could get Levi that mitt he kept asking for. New art supplies for Andrew so he didn’t have to keep using the dime-a-piece spiral notebooks with lined pages. A cute bedroom set for Cora in the new house. She always wanted one of those cute beds that looked like a tiny house. Caleb was too cheap to give it to her, but me? I could cave, this once.

I pulled up outside the practice field at Levi’s school, Golden Valley High. He was already walking my way, covered in dirt and sweat, with his gym bag slung over his shoulder. I pressed the button on the trunk, and he threw the stuff in the back before dropping in the front seat and slouching down.

“Rough day?” I asked. He’d been one of the best players on his club team in Austin, but the first few days of practice here had been hard on him, starting out as a freshman player on the bottom of the totem pole.

“Don’t want to talk about it,” he mumbled, pulling his cap farther over his forehead.