“That’s the thing. He thinks I should consider it, likeseriouslyconsider it.” I can still see the expression on his face. Trying to be strong for me, but I know him. I saw right through that, down into the depths of him, and how much it will destroy him again if I leave. I shake my head. “I just can’t justify doing that to him again. Can I?”
“Look, Mellie,” Bree starts. “None of us here can tell you what you should do. But this is not the same situation as it was last time. You’re not leaving anyone behind if you decide to do this for yourself. You hear me, right?” Her usual carefree demeanor has been replaced with a seriousness befitting the situation. “We all love you, and support you no matter what you do. And Ronin is right, as usual. This is a huge opportunity to do something you’ve dreamed about for years! You owe it to yourself to explore every inch of this. Figure out if it’s still what you want, deep in here.” She pats her heart for emphasis.
“Is there any way you could work remotely?” Brooklyn asks, ever the logical, pragmatic one among us.
“No, not entry level like this. Jack made it clear I’d need to be in office, at least to start. And that could be for months, or longer. I’d have no way of knowing.”
“When do you need to let her know?” Sydney asks.
“The end of the week. They’d want me there soon to get acclimated and meet the rest of the team.” I look at Cat. “I’ve already made sure with Jack that I’m clear to come back for the wedding, though. I wouldn’t miss that for the world.”
Cat smiles, a bit of tension easing and softening her face. “Thank you for thinking of us, Mellie.”
“Of course. Can’t miss my little brother getting hitched.” I let out a deep breath. “So, I guess I’m considering it?”
My heart rate picks up immediately, the anticipation of a new job, writing in an actual writer’s room, working on a real-life show—all of it causing my skin to tingle and my blood to pound in my ears. I can’t believe I’m actually thinking about doing this.
The vision of my book on display at The Reading Nook tugs at the back of my mind, but I shove it down for the moment. My stomach twists at the thought of giving up one dream to pursue another.
“There’s a ton to think about if I accept,” I add. “The Nook, for one. I can’t leave Nora in a lurch, even if we’re almost out of the busy season. And figuring out how to make a long-distance relationship actually work.” I shake my head. “I don’t know! This all sort of makes me feel like puking, if I’m being honest.”
My friends laugh. The feeling of anxiety that had burrowed deep in my chest lessens, the tight feeling giving way to one that scares me even more, while at the same time sends a thrill through my body.
That I can have this dream job, and still have Ronin and my friends.
It seems like too much to ask for, but a girl can dream.
Chapter Forty-One
RONIN
It’s only been two days since Mellie told me about the job offer, but it’s felt like an entire year has passed while she sorts through the roller coaster of emotions that come with making this decision. Tonight, we lay wrapped in each other’s arms in her bed, the only illumination coming from the sliver of moonlight shining through a gap in her curtains.
“You know, it’s kind of funny how small the world feels, sometimes,” Mellie says, her head resting against my chest. Her fingers dance delicately across the bare skin of my stomach. She turns her head, resting her chin on my chest as she looks up at me. Her hair is down and hangs around her shoulders in loose waves. “Jack was one of my closest friends in LA, and yet when I left, I didn’t think I’d ever see her, or any of those people, ever again. What are the odds that she shows up inmytown, of all places?”
“Fate,” I whisper, my fingers stroking the soft skin of her back.
“Hmm?”
“Fate,” I reply a little louder. “Isn’t that what the underlying theme of our lives has felt like?” I run my hand up her arm, my light touch causing goosebumps to break out across her pale skin. “I told you once that I thought it was fate that brought you here all those years ago. You could have moved anywhere, and yet it was this tiny little flower town in the middle of nowhere that the Baker family chose. My town.” I echo her words. “And then when you left, fate brought you back to me. After all that time away, you came back at exactly the right time. And we found each other, at exactly the right time.” I lean forward and kiss the top of her head, her hair tickling my chin, loose strands catching in the slight five o’clock shadow.
“Fate,” Mellie murmurs, her eyes closing as my fingers resume their perusal of her soft, satiny skin. “Jack mentioned that too, actually. Even my short story was about fate. Maybe you’re on to something, Ronin Kane.”
“Of course I am,” I chide. “I’ve had a lot of time to think about this. About us.” I swallow thickly. Curse these damn emotions.
Mellie’s eyes open, hearing the change in my voice. “Hey,” she says softly. She reaches to cup my face, her thumb brushing over the stubble on my cheek. “If I do take this job, that doesn’t change anything between us, okay? We’re still us. It’s not the same as last time.” Her hand slips behind my head, twining into my hair, and she pulls herself up my body. Soft lips meet mine in a gentle caress. “I love you.”
Her kiss becomes more insistent and I wrap my arms around her, holding her flush against me. “I love you,” I say against her mouth before our bodies take over. I lose myself in her touch, in the way her skin shines like silver in the moonlight as she moves over me.
The worry and guilt and apprehension melts away, and for right now, it’s just the two of us. Holding on to each other against whatever fate has in store for us next.
Chapter Forty-Two
RONIN
July 18
Good luck today, babe! Don’t let the first day jitters get you down. You’re gonna kill it- can’t wait to hear all about it later!
