DIANA
My eyes drifted out the window, the view of Rose Hill inspiring a smile to pull at the corners of my lips.
My desk phone trilled in front of me as I waited for my client to answer the call. I admired how the sun shone against the neighboring buildings and how the birds added just the right aesthetic charm to the view.
My therapist had been pushing me to appreciate the simple things in life: the soothing taste of a perfect cup of coffee, the satisfaction of staying home alone doing nothing except the things that make me happy. And now, here I was, at work in my home office, admiring the chilly but sunny view of Rose Hill, NY, outside my window.
I didn’t understand what the hell my therapist was talking about when she’d constantly say, “Diana, do your best to enjoy the simple things in life.” But now, I do.
That’s because life was finally starting to make sense to me again.
“Diana,” my client Jon said as he answered his phone.
I sat up in my seat, pulling my attention away from the window to focus on my desk phone. “Hey, Jon, how are you?”
It was a Monday morning on a very cold day in Rose Hill. We hadn’t seen snow since the new year started, and for most of the winter season, really. But I just knew snow was coming. While everyone loved snow in Rose Hill, I dreaded it. It triggered bad memories—memories I’d been working really damn hard to release.
“Thank you for sending over all your documents ahead of time,” I told him. “It was super helpful. I want you to know that.”
He chuckled. “It wasn’t easy. I’m not the most organized person.”
“Trust me, I get it.” I laughed lightly. “But look, I’ve reviewed your income and expenses from last year, and I’ve got a few strategies we can use to lower your tax bill while staying fully compliant.”
“Great,” Jon replied, his excitement evident in his voice. “Listen, I’m all ears. Taxes are such a headache for me.”
I smiled. “And that’s why I’m here.”
Jon was one of my many clients, a freelance graphic designer looking for advice on maximizing his deductions.
I’d been tax consulting for seven years. After graduating college with a BSA, I accepted a position as a tax associate at a firm just a month later. I stayed there for four years, gaining experience and pursuing my CPA designation. When I felt I’d learned all I could at the firm, I handed in my resignation, packed up my things, and left Manhattan to return to Rose Hill. Admittedly, me feeling like I learned all I needed to learn wasn’t my only reason I returned to Rose Hill.
My college years—and most of the years after—weren’t the best. They were a nightmare, if I’m being honest. I’ve only known peace here in Rose Hill.
“Let’s go over a few things I noticed you didn’t claim in your expenses last year,” I said to Jon.
“Cool,” he replied.
After graduating college, I stayed in Manhattan for a few years, stuck in a really shitty relationship. And when I say shitty, I don’t mean it figuratively. I mean bad for my mental and emotional health.
My ex-boyfriend, Blake, was abusive both mentally and emotionally—more mentally than anything else. Gaslighting, controlling every aspect of my life, including who I could and couldn’t see. All of it was wrapped up in the guise of love, under the pretense that he wanted what was best for me. Things he felt my judgment was too cloudy to see for myself.
All the signs were there that he wasn’t the one for me. He used my emotions against me to maintain power in our relationship. He emotionally cheated with women, then told me I was insecure whenever I questioned him about it. And I had every excuse to justify why his behavior wasn’t a red flag, even though it obviously was.
Everything only became clear to me that he wasn’t the man for me when he got down on one knee in front of a room full of people, doing the one thing I said I would hate if he ever did—asking me to marry him. I asked myself, Could I really be with him for the rest of my life?
When the answer was a resounding no, I handed in my resignation, packed up all my stuff, broke my lease in Manhattan, and moved back home to Rose Hill. I stayed with my parents for a month before moving into my own condo.
When I look back, I realize I stayed with Blake longer than I should have because I was trying to forget another ex—an ex who was nowhere near as bad as Blake. Something I only realized after I ended things with Blake.
“Since you work out of your apartment, you’re eligible to deduct a percentage of your rent, utilities, and even your internet bill based on the space you use exclusively for work,” I informed Jon. “That can give you significant savings.”
“Damn,” he sighed. “I didn’t even think about that! How do I figure out the percentage?”
“Easy.” I nodded. “Measure the square footage of your workspace and divide it by the total square footage of your apartment. For example…” I moved my desk phone closer to me so he could hear me better. “If your home office takes up 10% of your space, you can claim 10% of those expenses. But don’t worry. I can help you calculate it more precisely if you’re unsure.”
“Cool, cool.” Jon chuckled. “Very good to know. Thanks. What else can I deduct?”
Finance had always been something I was naturally drawn to, so accounting seemed like a no-brainer when I was deciding what to study in college.
Numbers, to me, were exact and reliable, and doing math with them felt the same. They always made sense if you remembered their rules. I liked that… the predictability of it all. It helped make life seem doable in a weird way.
College wasn’t even on my radar when I was in high school. I was very much into the right now as a teen—hanging out with my friends and creating memories in Rose Hill. Honestly, living in this town was like living in a bubble, and I was happy to do it. But then my parents were all, “You gotta branch out, Diana. Go and see the world and live life—but stay close, though, maybe Manhattan?”
I’d always had great grades. It was the only thing expected of me in exchange for using my parents’ credit card to get everything I wanted. Life in Rose Hill had always been perfect. It was only when I decided to leave this town that things got imperfect.
“Since you’re a graphic designer,” I said, continuing with Jon, “you likely purchased software, equipment, or even subscriptions to design platforms… if I’m remembering what graphic designers do.”
“You’re absolutely right, Diana,” he confirmed.
I giggled. “Okay, cool, so those are all deductible as business expenses, Jon. And don’t forget about professional development. If you attended any workshops or online courses, those costs are deductible too.”
“Wow,” he said, his voice full of surprise. “I actually did take a few classes last year to upskill. That count?”
“Very much so,” I answered. “It’s all part of maintaining and growing your business. Lastly, if you drove anywhere for client meetings or to pick up any supplies, you can claim mileage as well. I’ll just need you to keep a log of your trips or use an app to track it going forward, okay?”
“Got it! Wow,” Jon said again. “I’ve been leaving so much money on the damn table.”
I snickered. “Yes, you have, but we’re about to change that and help you keep more of it. Promise.”
“Thanks, Diana.”
“That’s what I’m here for, Jon.” I nodded. “I’ll send you a breakdown of these deductions and a guide for organizing everything going forward.” Reaching for my stack of post-its and a pen, I jotted down what I’d just told him to remind myself of the action steps I’d promised. “Let’s make tax season as painless as possible for you.”
Jon sighed, then laughed lightly. “Thanks a lot, Diana. I really appreciate you for that.”
They say that work shouldn’t be the center of your life, but for me, it was. I had my friends, who were always great, and I had a life outside of work, but simplifying people’s finances and helping them save money really gave me purpose.
After wrapping up the call with Jon and leaving a note for myself with his next steps, I leaned back in my office chair and allowed my attention to return to the view out of my window.
Rose Hill was one of the most beautiful places in this world. And I’d traveled enough to know that. I’d tried making a home all over New York, but nowhere quite compared to this little city.
In my daze, I heard my phone chime with a message.
It was still early in the morning, just after 9 a.m., so I was surprised anyone was reaching out to me at that hour.
All my friends were at work, either running their businesses or helping others run theirs, so I figured it couldn’t be them messaging me.
One quick glance at the name on the text told me otherwise.
Serenity: Hey Di, Trey and I have some BIG news to share, and I couldn’t wait any longer to let you in on it. We finally set the date for our wedding, and we’re hosting a little celebration to announce it and officially start our wedding preparations.
I gasped, my jaw dropping a second later as a smile tugged at the corners of my mouth.
“Oh. My. God!” I shouted. “Finally!”
My girl Serenity, who I’d known since we were kids, had been engaged to her fiancé for what felt like the longest time—three years. It wasn’t that long, but to us, it might as well have been forever. We’d been pestering them about picking a date since they already lived together and had even opened another one of her restaurants in Jersey. They always said, “When the time is right, we will.”
I guess the time was right now.
I checked the details Serenity sent over and noticed the date for their get-together: Valentine’s Day at 7 p.m. They were holding the event at her restaurant, Bellyful. Just the thought of it had my stomach growling. I could eat her jerk chicken tacos for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so I was praying those tacos would be in attendance too.
The dress code, according to her message, was “casual chic” or, as she put it, something you’d wear to celebrate love and good vibes.
I couldn’t contain my excitement as I continued reading.
Serenity: I’d love for you to come, Di. It wouldn’t be the same without you there. Plus, I have a few surprises planned for the evening that I know you’ll appreciate.
I replied immediately.
Me: Girl, you know I will be there with bells on. I’m so excited for you two. It’s finally happening!!!!
I sat back, my heart full of joy and excitement over the news. I couldn’t wait to celebrate with them and everyone else.
And as soon as that thought surfaced, another one followed.
Who all gon’ be there? And I wonder if they invited Duane too.
Duane was my ex-boyfriend from high school—the ex before Blake. We started dating during freshman year, well, a few months after it began. Duane had moved to Rose Hill from Brooklyn, transferring to my high school mid-year without missing a beat.
From the moment he showed up on campus, he had my attention… and everyone else’s. It was like he’d always been there, seamlessly falling in line with our culture and befriending everyone as if he’d been around since day one. While I admired that about him, there was something deeper about him that intrigued me.
Even now, just thinking about him still did something to my heart.
Duane seemed hard on the surface, very Brooklyn… or what Brooklyn represented to me back then, based on TV shows and movies. I’d been living my sheltered life in Rose Hill, knowing nothing about that part of New York. But Duane was so personable and magnetic. All it took was a smile or a well-timed joke, and people warmed up to him instantly.
Most of all, he was sweet.
Like, really sweet.
I bit my bottom lip, releasing it as I picked up my phone.
Our relationship was perfect. Like the kind of high school sweetheart romance you’d see on TV. Everything was great until senior year, when we revealed that we’d both be leaving Rose Hill for college—different states, different paths.
I planned to attend college in Manhattan, and he had plans to head south to an HBCU. We promised we’d maintain a long-distance relationship, believing it would be easy because we were so in love.
But shortly after he started school, he attended a party and made out with some girl. I only knew because a mutual friend from high school screen-grabbed a photo of him kissing her, which had been posted online by one of his friends.
When I confronted him over the phone, he confessed immediately. That was enough for me to end it right then and there. Back then, I thought it was the worst thing he could have done. I was heartbroken and didn’t think anyone could break my heart worse than that.
That turned out to be a damn lie.
I stared at my phone, contemplating texting Serenity to ask if Duane would be at the party.
I’d been avoiding him like the plague since returning to Rose Hill seven years ago. I was shocked I’d gone that long without running into him.
I already knew he was back in Rose Hill, and that he’d been back two years before me. I also knew he owned a sneaker store that was doing really well. It looked good too. I’d seen it the few times I had no choice but to pass in front of it, though I usually avoided the area to lessen the risk of seeing him… or him seeing me.
I typed out the message: Is Duane gonna be there?
Then I deleted it.
This was a happy time, and I didn’t want my message to contradict the good vibes Serenity was hinting the party would be all about.
Since Serenity was with Trey, Duane and Trey had become good friends over the past three years, according to my girl Kelli.
Kelli worked as a manager at Serenity’s bistro, Bellyful. Beyond being a manager, she and Serenity had been friends since childhood. We all had been.
Kelli had told me that Trey and Duane hung out occasionally, along with our other friend Ryder—who Kelli had also been friends with since they were kids and who she was now dating.
I took a deep breath and exhaled through my mouth, the air vibrating against my lips.
Therapy had taught me that Duane wasn’t the enemy, even if I’d turned him into one in my mind.
Like I said, in retrospect, the kiss he’d shared with another girl when he first started college was nowhere near the hell I endured with my ex-boyfriend Blake. Blake made Duane look like a saint, and that kiss felt like nothing more than a forehead kiss in comparison.
But to me, an ex was an ex.
And while I’d sorted through a lot in therapy, I hadn’t truly sorted through the heartbreak Duane caused—or how our breakup led me to Blake, a man who nearly ruined me.
While Duane’s hurt was different, it was hurt all the same.
“Di, stop trippin’,” I said to myself, forcing my hand to place my phone back on the desk. “He probably won’t even be there.”
And if he is? God, I hope I don’t see him.
Have you visited Rose Hill yet? Discover the story that started it all! In Love, I Trust is part of the Rose Hill series, capturing the journeys of characters falling in love in this charming New York town. Meet Serenity and Trey before they were a couple, trading witty banter in an online comment section 🤭.
Welcome to Rose Hill.
Have you ever experienced something so amazing that you convinced yourself it was too good to be true?
Serenity Payne continues to psych herself out with love. She’s consistently dress-rehearsed disappointment with her heart since she was thirteen. For years, Serenity has lived vicariously through other people’s love lives, and doing so has made her a pessimist.
But that outcome changes when she meets Trevon “Trey” Everest online.
Trey knows what he wants from love and is confident he’s ready to have and maintain the best of it with someone special. He’s traveled the world, has a fulfilling career, and has supportive friends and family. Now, he desires a genuine love of a lifetime that’s enduring and worth the effort of building something authentic… and he’s sure he’s found it in Serenity.
But, there’s a problem.
Serenity’s pessimism challenges Trey’s optimism in the worst way, and the solution to their problem will require Serenity to do the one thing she refuses to do with men… release control and trust.