Page 116 of Come Back to Me

“This is amazing, Sage. Have you shown this to Dani and Bella?”

“No, I haven’t. Why?”

“Why not?”

“Graphic design and web design have always been my thing. I don’t love sharing this stuff with people.”

“I get that. At first, I didn’t love the idea of sharing my content creation online, but that changed when people engaged with it. I have my own little community now because of it.”

“And that works for you. I don’t love the idea of sharing my work online right now. All I want is to get as much out of the design program I’m in here at SCU and use what I learn for my business.”

I nod. “You’re so talented. Your work belongs on the screens of other people who love graphic design and web design, not just yours. Whenever you’re ready.”

“I don’t think I’ll ever be ready for that.”

“Never say never.”

Her chest slowly rises and lowers itself as she gets back into work mode.

This is the first time Sage has shown me something she’s been working on. She’s very protective of her projects, which I highly respect. I know she doesn’t like receiving compliments, so that could be one of the reasons why she’s never shown me her stuff.

“Is this your plan for the day?”

“Yes. The collage is due on Monday, and the mockup is due on Tuesday. I’m running out of time, so stop distracting me.”

“Sorry.”

Uh-oh. That reminds me of something.

I need to finish my marketing plan for my business. The assignment is dueon Monday. Our professor wants us to come up with a solid and successful marketing plan for a real or fake business. I chose to do the business I want to start post-grad, a PR/Personal Assistant business for self-published authors. It’s the same business I told Grayson about.

I don’t have a lot left to do for the assignment, but I want to try and finish it, so I don’t have to worry about it tomorrow.

I run into my bedroom, lifting the lid to my laptop and start typing away.

I can do this. Grayson won’t be here for another couple of hours.

An hour passes by, and I can’t believe I finished it. Not only did I finish it, but my marketing plan is concise and detailed. I followed all the rules the professor laid out for us. I’m crossing my fingers that I get an A on this assignment when I hand it in on Monday.

In the meantime, I’ll be hanging out in here until it’s time for me to be picked up.

I can’t fully articulate how I feel about the fact that I’m going to visit Dana today. I’m surprised she’s asked Grayson about me. Like I told him, I thought she’d hate me for what I did. I was convinced she’d want nothing to do with me, but I was wrong. And I’m glad I was wrong because I love Grayson’s mom so much. She’s always been so supportive, and she believed in me when my own mother didn’t.

My phone rings, and I know who it is right away because of the ringtone. It’s a Weezer song that reminds me of Grayson.

Picking up the phone, I press it against my ear. “Hi.”

“Are you dressed?”

“Yeah. What’s up?”

“I’m gettingready to leave. I’ll call you when I get to your place. Okay, Vi?”

“Okay, Gray.”

“I’ll see you soon.”

“Bye.”