“The stars are your thing. I think it’s great. And she’s learning something if you’re teaching her about the constellations, so I’ll have to disagree with your mom on this one. You should definitely keep on rockin’.”
“Yeah?”
“Absolutely. She’s only little once. One of these days, she’ll spend the evening running around with her friends and then come home and put herself to bed. So you should soak up the time with her while you can. And coming from a child who didn’t have many moments like that, I assure you, she’ll remember them.”
“You’re pretty smart, you know that?”
“Well,” I say, straightening my shoulders, “I do have a fancy college degree.”
“You do? In what?” he asks.
“Accounting. I graduated summa cum laude from Columbia.”
“You’re a CPA?”
“I am. And why are you looking at me like that? Are you surprised?”
“No.” He shakes his head, quick to reassure me. “That isn’t it at all. I just wouldn’t have pegged you as a CPA.”
“I wouldn’t have pegged me as a CPA either.”
Noah draws back. “Then why do it, if it isn’t your passion? Why spend so much of your time and energy on it?”
“I didn’t really have a choice.”
“You always have a choice.”
“Maybe in your world.” I shrug, watching Noah’s face fall. “Not in mine.”
“So what is it that you love? If you could do anything, what would you like to do?”
My answer is quick. “Sew.”
Noah gives me a confused look, but he seems intrigued.
“Sounds silly, doesn’t it?”
“No.” He shakes his head. “Not silly. Interesting.”
“I can do more than sew. I crochet, knit, embroider. If it involves thread, yarn, a needle, or a sewing machine, I can pretty much do it. Helga used to say I have an old soul. She would sit down at night and make her own clothes and purses, and I didn’t have anything else to do, so I’d sit there and watch. One night, she asked if I wanted to learn, and I jumped at the chance. She taught me everything I know.”
“Impressive. Sounds like that should be your profession.”
A smile stretches across my face, pride filling my chest. “I’m working on it.” Noah gives my waist a gentle squeeze, encouraging me to tell him more. “I’ve always wanted to have my own bridal boutique. There’s nothing I would love more than to design custom gowns for women. And not just wedding gowns, but prom and bridesmaid dresses, too.”
“That sounds like a great dream. You should make it come true.”
“I will,” I say. “One of these days. Until then, I’ll keep working on my designs.”
“What are you doing in the meantime? Are you hoping to find work here in Heaven?”
I shake my head. “No. I quit Markel and Bradshaw a couple of months ago because I wasn’t happy. I’ve saved up enough over the last few years to keep me afloat. For now, I’m taking time off to work on my sketches.”
“That sounds like a solid plan to me. I want to see your sketches sometime.”
“Absolutely.”
Noah brushes his fingers up and down my arm, offering me a bit of reassurance I didn’t even realize I needed from him. “Tell me more about yourself.”