Chapter Seventeen — Before Boston
The weeks leading up to her departure for Boston had a unique vibe.
It wasn't the anxious energy she might have anticipated — not that countdown feeling of someone gearing up for a big change. Instead, it felt more like a day that's been going well and continues to do so, where you can appreciate the good moments without clinging too tightly, trusting they'll still be there when you reach for them.
She was wrapping things up.
The hotel project was finished, delivered, and received with such positive feedback that it made all those tough hours feel worthwhile. The bookshop project was in its final stages. She had also taken on two new clients, knowing they would be her first in Boston — work she would carry across the ocean with her, just like she was carrying Gerald.
At the same time, she was starting new things.
She was diving into Boston research — exploring coffee shops, neighborhoods, and the unique vibe of the design scene there. A small Boston-based studio had reached out about a potential collaboration, and she was now seriously considering it. She had begun following Boston designers on her professional platforms and was starting to get a feel for the landscape.
She was building her foundation before she even arrived.
This felt right.
It echoed the lesson Crestview had taught her — that showing up with nothing and building from scratch was possible and even beneficial, but arriving with something already in hand was even better. Arriving with a clear direction.
On a Wednesday evening, she shared the studio collaboration idea with Daniel.
He set his legal pad aside.
He listened intently.
When she finished, he said, "Send them the hotel project and the bookshop project. Those two together showcase your range."
She met his gaze. "That's exactly what I was thinking."
"I know," he replied. "I've been paying attention."
Last Saturday, just before Zara's big move to Boston, she found herself cherishing a day that seemed ordinary but felt anything but. It wasn't that anything remarkable happened; in fact, it was the very lack of drama that made it one of her favorite days.
She and Daniel strolled over to the market on Greville Street. Zara kept this thought to herself, not wanting to turn the outing into a special event. All she wanted was the simple pleasure of the market—just a Saturday morning filled with vibrant stalls, the enticing aroma of fresh coffee and bread, and a warm greeting from Francesca at the ceramic stall, who had been saving pieces for her for months.
When Zara arrived, Francesca wrapped her in a hug. "I heard you're leaving," she said, her voice tinged with a mix of excitement and sadness.
"Boston," Zara replied, a hint of nostalgia creeping in.
"Great city," Francesca said, glancing at Daniel. "Make sure you take care of her."
"I will," he assured her, his tone steady.
Francesca then handed Zara a small, wrapped gift. "For your new windowsill," she said with a smile. "Something to sit next to Gerald."
Inside was a delicate ceramic bird, crafted in the same soft blue-grey glaze as Gerald's pot, a piece made with Francesca's own hands. The base bore her thumbprint, a personal touch that made it all the more special. Zara held it close, feeling a lump form in her throat.
"Thank you," she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Promise you'll come back and visit," Francesca urged. "My stall will always be here."
They meandered through the rest of the market at a leisurely pace. Zara picked up some bread from the sourdough baker, a familiar face she had come to rely on. Daniel grabbed coffee from the second stall—the better one, as everyone agreed.
They settled onto wooden stools at the far end, enjoying their salt beef sandwiches and steaming coffees, surrounded by the lively buzz of the Saturday market.
Zara caught his eye, and he met her gaze.
"Ready?" he asked, a hint of anticipation in his voice.
"Ready," she confirmed, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension.
And all around them, the market thrived on, oblivious to the changes ahead.