Page 37 of The Maine Event (Romancing the Workplace #2)

NINETEEN

I manage thirty-six hours alone in my condo, rearranging furniture, alphabetizing my books, and giving the whole place, not just a spring clean, but a full four-seasons special before I finally come up for air.

I pull into the driveway of Claire and Richard’s house. Before I can even cut the engine, the front door bursts open and two pint-sized blurs come racing across the lawn.

“Aunt Rachel!” Lily and Anna squeal in unison, their faces lit up with glee. Behind them, my sister Claire emerges, her eyes wide with surprise.

“Rach! What are you doing here? I thought you were…” She trails off as the kids tackle me with hugs the moment I step out of the car.

“Hey, munchkins!” I laugh, scooping them up and spinning them around. “I decided to take a little break from work. Surprise!”

Claire arches an eyebrow, but her smile is warm. “Well, this is the best kind of surprise. Come on in, I just made some chocolate milk.”

Inside, the house looks the same as always—family photos covering the walls, the faint scent of Mom’s lemon bars in the air.

Before I can call out a greeting, Mom appears in the hallway, wiping her hands on a dishtowel, her face lighting up when she sees me. “Rachel! There you are! I was just saying to Claire I thought I heard your car. You look thin. Are you eating enough?”

I offer her a big smile. “Hi, Mom. I’m fine.”

She clucks her tongue, shaking her head like I’m still a teenager with bad eating habits.

“Busy or not, you need to eat properly. You’re going to wither away to nothing. Come on, sit down. I have some chicken pot pie warming in the oven and leftover lasagna from yesterday. Or I can make you a grilled cheese? You used to love those.”

I shake my head, trying to keep my tone light. “I’m really not hungry, Mom.”

She narrows her eyes, scrutinizing me like she’s trying to read between the lines of my expression. “Nonsense. You never turn down grilled cheese. I’ll just make one and?—”

“Mom.” I reach out and squeeze her arm gently, giving her a reassuring smile. “Really, I’m fine. I just need… I don’t know what I need.”

Anna, who was waiting patiently for her turn to talk, tugs on my hand insistently.

“Aunt Rachel, I got a new Barbie! Wanna see?” Her green eyes dance with excitement.

“You bet I do, sweetheart. Lead the way!”

As Anna scampers off, Lily climbs into my lap, chocolate milk mustache and all. “I missed you, Aunt Rachel,” she says solemnly.

“I missed you too, sweet pea.” I kiss the top of her head, feeling a pang. When was the last time I made time for them like this?

Just then, Anna comes barreling back in, a Disney princess in her hands. “I freeze you!” she growls, making the doll stomp across the table—and straight into Lily’s chocolate milk. The cup tips, sending a wave of brown liquid right into my lap.

“Anna!” Claire gasps, but I’m already laughing.

“It’s okay, no harm done!” I grab a dish towel to mop up the mess, grinning at my Niece. “I think Elsa just wanted to cool off. It’s thirsty work, all that covering the world in ice.”

The kids giggle and I catch Claire watching me, a curious expression on her face.

I just smile, a strange sense of lightness bubbling up in my chest. Maybe I needed a splash of chocolate milk to remember what matters.

And right now, getting down on the floor for an epic princess picnic with the kids is all that matters in the world.

The games don’t last too long before the girls want to move on to the next thing. Mom convinces them to do some coloring, and earns some whoops and cheers when she reveals a new pack of crayons and a fairy coloring book for each.

When Mom has settled Lily and Anna in the kitchen, she comes and joins us. She sits down heavily on the couch. As much as she loves seeing her granddaughters, it takes it out of her.

“Listen, there’s something I need to tell you,” I begin, my voice wavering slightly.

Claire and Mom have concern etched on their faces, and I hurry to reassure them.

“It’s nothing bad, I promise. It’s just… I quit my job at Channing Gabriel.”

There’s a moment of stunned silence before they both ask the inevitable, “What?” “When?” and “Why?” My mom reaches across the table to grasp my hand, her brow furrowed with worry.

“Quit? Just like that? But, honey, you loved your job. You worked so hard to get that position.”

I nod, swallowing the rising tide of guilt. “Yeah, I did. And I thought I loved it. But… it doesn’t feel the same anymore. I felt stuck. Miserable, actually.”

Claire tilts her head, studying me. “What happened? I thought Channing Gabriel was your dream gig.”

“It was,” I say, trying to put words to the knot in my chest. “I just… couldn’t do it anymore. I needed to stop.”

Mom exchanges a look with Claire before reaching for my hand, and squeezing it gently.

“I’ve been saying for years that you’ll work yourself into an early grave.

Even when you were little—you’d get so upset if you didn’t get a perfect score on a test or mess up your homework.

You remember that time you tried to play the piano piece from that school recital, and you wouldn’t leave the piano for hours? ”

Claire laughs softly. “God, I remember that. Mom practically had to drag you away from it. You were convinced that one wrong note meant you were a failure.”

I force a smile. “Yeah, well, not much has changed, apparently.”

Mom squeezes my hand again, her eyes soft. “Honey, I know you always wanted to make something of yourself, and I couldn’t be prouder of everything you’ve achieved. But you don’t have to prove anything to anyone. Not to us. Not to your bosses. Not even to yourself. Sometimes it’s okay to just… be.”

I feel the lump in my throat swelling, my chest tight with emotion. “It’s not just about work. It’s… everything. I don’t even know what I want anymore. I thought climbing the ladder was the answer. But now that I’m at the top, and I just feel… empty.”

Claire rests a hand on my shoulder. “It’s okay to feel lost sometimes. Maybe this break is exactly what you need. Figure out what makes you happy again, not just what looks good on paper.”

I nod, the words soaking into me like a balm. “I just don’t know where to start.”

Mom gives me a reassuring smile. “Start by giving yourself a little grace. You’re allowed to change your mind. You’re allowed to want different things.”

I let out a shaky laugh, wiping a stray tear from my cheek. “I’m just scared. What if I don’t figure it out? What if I never find something that makes me feel… enough?”

“You’ll figure it out,” Claire says firmly. “And who wouldn’t want to lie around all day while they figure it out?”

The heaviness in my chest loosens just a little, and I nod, grateful for the support. The girls squeal in delight at the table, before Lily comes running in, proudly holding up her masterpiece—a neon pink fairy with green wings.

“Look, Aunt Rachel!” she calls. “Isn’t she pretty?”

I smile, genuinely this time. “She’s gorgeous, Lil. You’ve got real talent.”

Claire leans closer, dropping her voice. “You know, I haven’t seen you this relaxed in ages. Maybe that’s a sign.”

I glance at her, considering the idea. “Maybe. It just feels nice to be… here.”

The front door opens with a familiar clunk, followed by the thud of work boots and the creak of a grocery bag being set down.

“Smells like chocolate milk and crayons in here,” Richard calls out, his voice warm and teasing. “Which means either I’ve walked into a crime scene, or my daughters are home.”

“In the living room,” Claire replies.

He rounds the corner, his high-vis vest still slung over one shoulder and smudges of dust on his forearm. When he sees me on the couch, one niece tucked into my side and the other sprawled across the rug with her coloring book, he stops short and breaks into a grin.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in.”

“Hi, Richard,” I say with a smile, brushing a lock of hair off Lily’s forehead. “Hope it’s okay I turned up unannounced.”

“Okay? You’re a walking excuse to skip bath time later. The girls will be thrilled.” He drops a kiss on Claire’s cheek, then gives my shoulder a quick squeeze on his way to the kitchen. “You staying for dinner? Or, do I have to drive you back to O’Hare for another emergency?”

“I’m really sorry about that.”

“You missed a great holiday.”

“I know. Next time.”

Richard carries the groceries through to the kitchen and then washes his hands. “Claire texted you’ve quit your job? Good for you.”

I blink at him. “That’s it? No lecture?”

“What? You think someone who’s spent twelve years herding subcontractors and trying not to fall off scaffolding is gonna judge you for quitting a job that made you miserable?

” He opens the fridge, grabs a beer, and pops the cap off with one practiced motion.

“Nah. Sounds like the sanest thing you’ve done in years. ”

“Well, when you put it like that…” I shake my head, smiling. “Thanks.”

He plops into the armchair, glancing down at Anna’s drawing. “Are these fairies unionized yet? You’ve got them working pretty hard.”

“Dad, look! My unicorn’s got six legs.” Anna giggles, showing Richard her drawing.

“I used to have six legs,” Richard says, pretending to cry. “But your mom made me give up the extras when we got married.”

Anna blinks once, then twice, looking at her mom and then her dad, trying to process this outrage. “Why?”

“She said it wouldn’t be fair to all the other guys at work. I’d always be able to run the fastest.”

Anna considers this and then shakes her head vehemently. “You’re telling fibs.”

“Am not,” Richard says. “They’re in the attic with your tail. Come on, I’ll show you.”

With that, he scoops a giggling Anna into his arms and carries her out of the room.

Lily crawls across the couch, wrapping her arms around my waist. “Can you stay the night, Aunt Rachel?”

“You should,” Mom says.

“We could have pancakes tomorrow!”