Ditching The Dream (Dream Series) by Isabelle Peterson Page B

This was not me! I wasn’t a cheater. But maybe Jessica was right. If Greg was telling me to do it… And Jessica wasn’t all wrong… I was more or less a virgin. I shook those thoughts off and continued my shopping, but went back to the scotch.
    The eighteen year Macallan was way out of my budget, at one hundred and ninety-five dollars. Even though my tips were good, I needed to watch my expenses and the cart I’d already built was going to take a big chunk of my earnings.
    I decided to splurge and get a twelve year Macallan at an, a-hem, modest sixty dollars. Why in the hell not? I’d call it my birthday gift to me. I debated on whether or not I would charge it, and make Greg pay for it, since it was his call that sent me running to a bar after eleven on a Sunday night, but went with my debit card where I had Daddy’s money. As much as I wanted to stick it to Greg for his chauvinistic suggestions, I just couldn’t. I needed to prove to him I was out here for my own reasons—not his.
    Next, I swung by a small grocer on the corner to get some fresh fruits and a few more staples to fill in the fridge and cupboards, then went home with my collection. I quickly stowed everything and got ready for work.
    Checking my phone for missed messages, I fully expected to see a few from Greg, but there were only two messages. One from Brad and one from Phoebe.
    I pressed play, hoping that they were calling to report their grades, which they loved to do and I loved hearing, or they were asking for more money in their accounts. Either way, I was glad to have missed their calls, especially when I heard their voicemails.
    “Hey Mom. Brad here. Dad says you’re in New York? What’s going on? You might want to wrap up whatever is going on over there. He sounds miserable. Anyway, just wanted to let you know that I got that job in the department with Professor Banks and I won’t be coming home this summer. It’s a great opportunity and I know you’ll want to hear more. Call me when you can. And call Dad.”
    What the hell? It almost seemed that Greg called our oldest to try and get me to go home.
    I next played Phoebe’s call, hoping it wasn’t more of the same.
    “Hi Mom. It’s Phoebe. Dad says you’re living in New York? How cool! Can I come visit? I’m thinking of changing my major and a visit to New York could help me a lot with making my decision. I have spring break next week. The girls and I had planned to go to Daytona, but Stephanie didn’t make the reservations in time so, we’re stuck without plans now. Would I fly into JFK airport? I’m looking at airfares now. Call me.”
    Oh good God in heaven!
    Surely Carter would have been calling next, if he weren’t doing an anthropology study abroad in Pompeii.
    I called Brad and congratulated him on his job. Fortunately, I’d caught him between classes so he didn’t have time to talk much, so we easily avoided the Dad topic.
    Phoebe’s call was a little more complicated. In addition to a spring break trip, it appeared that she was considering changing her major and felt that a trip to New York might help her make some decisions. She’d swung from physics to communications. Oh, to be young again.
    We arranged for her to fly in on Friday. I was working the lunch shift and had the night off. I made a mental note to try and swap my Saturday dinner shift with Tom or Shelby.
    Having avoided the epic ‘dad conversations’ with my kids, I made my way to work and arrived just five minutes before I had to clock in.
    Walking into Ed Scott’s made me smile. Funny how the place was already feeling like my second home. Familiar, friendly faces, wonderful smells wafting from the kitchen, and general sounds of merriment from all around. I ducked behind the bar and a few regulars already knowing who I was, gave me a cheerful wave. I really liked it here.
    “Hey, Shelby,” I chirped.
    “Someone got a good night’s sleep. Did you enjoy your morning off?”
    “I did. Thank