“Confused. Scared. Hopeful. Pick one.” I lean against the counter, grateful for its solid support, and laugh without humor. “How about you?”
“The same. Plus, guilty for asking you to give up the life you've made here.” His kind, silvery-blue eyes are full of apprehension, but hope is there too.
“You're not asking me to give it up. You're asking me to choose a life that looks different.”
Gray studies my face with those blue eyes that see everything. “And? Have you decided what you want to choose?”
I look around the coffee shop that's become my home away from home, soaking in the warm lighting, the comfortable seating, and the counter where I've served hundreds of cups of coffee to people who've become family. Then I look at Emma, who's trying to look busy while obviously listening to every word. And there’s Leslie, who's abandoned all pretense and is watching us like we’re his favorite soap opera. Duke, who's settled beside my feet, knows I need the support.
Finally, I look at Gray, this man who's fought his way back from the edge of destruction and still found the courage to love me in all the messy, imperfect ways that matter.
“I need to tell you something.” I reach for his hands, my trembling voice barely above a whisper. “I'm terrified of touring, hotel rooms, endless crowds, and the lack of routine. We’ll be surrounded by strangers, pressure, and the spotlight all the time. Things are going to go wrong at some point. I'm scared of not seeing the familiar.” As the words spill out, I feel my chest tighten, my breath hitching slightly, anchoring my fear in my body.
“But I'm more terrified of spending eight months wondering what you're doing and your recovery and missing every moment of your success. I'm terrified of choosing security over love, of playing it small when I could be part of a really amazing tour.”
“Rhea.” Hope creeps into his voice.
“I'll come with you. On one condition.”
“Anything.”
“We do this right—regular check-ins with Xavier, video sessions with Dr. Hannah, and structure and routine wherever possible. And we find ways to make hotel rooms feel like a home away from home.” It’s all I have to offer him.
The smile that spreads across Gray's face is like watching the sun rise each morning. Just then, the espresso machine lets out a jubilant hiss, and Duke's tail thumps rhythmically against the counter, as if marking this moment of clarity and commitment. Gray pulls me into his arms, spinning me around the coffee shop while Duke barks and Emma cheers.
Leslie declares this “the most romantic thing I've witnessed since that couple got engaged in my favorite fabric store.”
When Gray finally sets me down, we're both breathless and laughing.
“Are you sure? Really sure?” he asks against my ear.
“I'm sure I love you more than I love being comfortable. I'm sure I want to see where this adventure takes us.” I pull back to look at his face. “Besides, someone needs to make sure you eat actual food instead of gas station snacks for eight months.”
“What about Mountain Mornings?” He glances toward Emma.
“Already handled.” Emma grins. “I'm holding her job for her while she's gone, and I've got my eye on a temporary hire who knows how to make excellent caramel macchiatos.”
“Who?” I ask.
“Mrs. Patterson’s granddaughter, Noa,” Emma confirms.
“And Mrs. Chen?” I ask, suddenly realizing I'll be leaving my tiny apartment with its perfect bookshelves.
“Will keep your apartment exactly as it is. I may have already had that conversation with her. She's expecting you back for visits, and she wants regular postcards from every city.” Leslie purses his lips, immensely proud of himself.
As reality sinks in, panic mixes with a sense of excitement. This is the biggest risk I've taken since leaving Gray. Back then, leaving had felt like tearing away a vital part of myself, but staying would have meant living a lie. I remember shutting the door behind me that night. Tears burned as I walked away, searching for a new beginning. But that risk led me to the best version of myself. Courage is not an absence of fear but stepping into the unknown despite it. It’s time to trust that growth means embracing uncertainty once more. This is about choosing love and continuing to evolve, as I did before.
“When do we leave?” I ask Gray.
“Six weeks. Time to wrap things up here, get organized, and figure out logistics,” he answers.
“Then we'd better get started.” I rise on my toes to kiss him. “We've got an adventure to plan.”
Later that afternoon, as Duke and I walk through the village that's become my home, I think about Mrs. Patterson's words about regret, Leslie's challenge to stop being afraid of my own happiness, and Emma's generous offer to keep me on staff, along with her quiet wisdom about not staying safe forever.
But mostly, I think about Gray's face when I say yes. Pure joy, relief, and love transformed his entire expression.
That's worth any risk.
