“Mazzy,” she said, folding her hands, “why aren’t you going with him?”
I stared at her. “I just told you—my life is here.”
“Is it?”
“Yes!” My voice cracked into a squeak. “My job, my classes, Katty’s preschool, Aunt Barb and Kylie…”
“Mmm.” She nodded as though humoring a child who had declared the sky was green. “Let’s examine that.”
I frowned. “Miranda. Come on.”
“No, no. Let’s take a breath and use those critical-thinking skills I know you have.” She crossed one leg over the other. “Do you love him?”
My pulse fluttered. “Yes.”
“Does he love you?”
“Yes.”
“Does he love Kateryna?”
“Oh my god, yes.”
“Then tell me why keeping your family together is less important than your ambition and a city mostly filled with people you don’t even know.”
I stared at her, mouth open, and Miranda flicked her hand. “Don’t look at me like I ran over a puppy. I’m only stating facts.”
“It’s not that simple,” I whispered, my throat tight. “I’ve worked so hard to get where I am. I need this job.”
“You have this job. I told you that.”
“I have it while I’m here.”
She gave me a flat look. “Mazzy, you do realize I have remote associates in several states. Sandra works from a treehouse in Oregon, for Christ’s sake.”
I blinked. “It's a cabin.”
“A cabin in a tree.” She waved it off. “My point stands. You could work from anywhere. I wouldpreferyou to work from anywhere instead of losing you entirely.”
Something wobbled in my chest. Was that hope? “But the time difference—”
“You’re adaptable. Now, what was your other objection? School? I’m almost positive you can take most courses online. I know that seems like magic, but it is, in fact, reality. The future is now, as they say.”
“Miranda—”
“And let’s be real with each other,” she continued mercilessly, “you’re not choosing between your career and Ben. You’re choosing between your fear and your family.”
The words hit like a punch under my ribs.
My eyes stung, and I hated it. “It feels like I’d be giving up everything I’ve built.”
“Everything?” she echoed quietly. “Mazzy, look at me.”
I did.
“You are not giving up something. You’re taking it with you. Your brain, your ambition, your determination to get that degree—you don’t lose any of that by getting on a plane. And if your objection is you'll miss your family…well, I happen to know your guy is loaded. Surely, he can afford some plane tickets for them to visit you.”
A very unprofessional tear escaped, sliding hot down my cheek. I swiped it away.
