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“I can’t stay and he can’t go.”
“Why?”
The simple, straightforward question stilled something inside her. Shifting her perception. “Revival isn’t my home anymore. And Griffin is mayor.”
“It’s not easy. I won’t pretend it is. The question is if it’s worth it.” There was a sound over the line, before Gracie spoke again. “I know New York is halfway across the country and not quite the same, but I do get it. James and I split time between Chicago and Revival and I won’t lie, it’s hard. Sometimes I’m exhausted and I want to give up. Sometimes I just want to come home to Revival and go back to the calm my life used to be before I decided to go fall in love with a professor who lives in Chicago and open a bakery. Sometimes James doesn’t want to pick up everything on his break and come to Revival. Sometimes we’re forced to be apart because of work priorities. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I wouldn’t trade it for the world because he’s so worth it, Darcy. He’s worth everything. So we make it work, make the sacrifice, because not being together isn’t an option. I don’t know the right answer for you and Griffin, but it starts with the same question: Is he worth it to you? If he’s not, let him go even though it hurts right now. If you do, then fight for your happiness. It’s really that simple.” She laughed. “And that complicated.”
Darcy felt her world shift, tilt, and spin. She wiped under her eyes and sniffed. “You’re right. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Gracie said, her voice warm and soft. “You okay?”
“Not yet, but you helped.”
“I’m glad. Call if you need anything.”
“Thank you again.” Darcy sniffed and picked up a tissue to wipe her face. “James is a very lucky man.”
“He is.” Gracie chuckled. “But I’m just as lucky. We make sure of it.”
Darcy said her good-byes and hung up. She took a breath that sounded like it rattled in her chest. She looked out onto the streets below. She thought of that last conversation with Griffin way back when they’d graduated from high school.
She’d been right to leave then. She’d needed to find herself. To discover who she was outside of the confines of Revival. She didn’t regret what she’d done.
But she was older now. Wiser. She could write anywhere. It didn’t matter where she lived. Griffin had a town to save, an economy to revitalize, and people depending on him.
He belonged in Revival.
And she belonged with him.
She was finally going home.
