But Connor was focusing on his plate, so Walker chimed in.
“This last month, you’ve been happier than I think we’ve ever seen you. You’re always chill and relaxed and easygoing, but this was different. It was a whole vibe and I’d have to say it was because of Evie.”
Slater looked at each of his friends, who were all nodding in agreement.
“She makes me happy,” he admitted. “I enjoy just being with her and living with her.”
“If you can handle living in that tiny cabin and still feel like you want to spend time with her, then you’re completely into this relationship,” Walker said. “Because living like that could test even the most devoted couples.”
They all laughed at that.
“Okay, great. We can handle living together for a few weeks in a cabin. That doesn’t help me going to Seattle. What would I even do? You know I don’t stay anywhere for long.”
“Maybe you haven’t exactly noticed, but you’ve been here at the resort for over a year,” Milo said. “Almost two.”
“Not the entire time…”
“No, but those breaks weren’t anything major, and they’re still something you can do,” Milo continued. “Seattle is a big city, and there are a lot of tour companies nearby that you can work for if you really wanted to—Mt. Rainier, Olympic National Park, plus plenty of opportunities for whitewater rafting, and…”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. I’ve done a few of them here and there, and I guess that’s an option,” he murmured.
“Or…” Axel said slowly and then stopped.
“Or…?” Slater prompted in frustration.
“Or you start something of your own. You’ve worked for other people, you’ve invested here in the resort with the rest of us, but maybe it’s time for you to think about what you want most.”
Evie.
That wasn’t an option in this scenario, but it was the first thing that came to mind.
“I don’t know,” he said carefully. “Do I want to start a business in a massive city like that?”
“Maybe Evie would be open to a slight relocation,” Milo casually threw out there.
“What do you mean?”
Rather than respond right away, Milo took a drink of his iced tea and wiped his mouth. Then he gave Slater a small smile. “Evie’s comfortable where she is because it’s all she’s ever known. Maybe the two of you can meet halfway and find a place where you can both be happy. A place that keeps her close to the city, but far enough out where you feel at home.”
“Basically, you need to talk to Evie,” Axel said.
“We’ve talked and she’s resigned to me not going with her,” he said. “And I need time to think about all of this. I don’t think I can just…jump into something like this on such short notice.”
“Dude, I once watched you jump out of a hot-air balloon at 15,000 feet,” Walker commented. “No hesitation.”
“But that was why I was in the balloon,” he reasoned. “I knew I was going to jump all along.”
“But you could have backed out,” Walker countered. “Maybe look at this as that kind of jump.”
“You just gave him an out,” Connor said, frowning.
“He’ll know when he’s ready to jump,” Milo said confidently. “And wouldn’t it be better for both of them if he did this because he wants to and not because we’re forcing him to?”
They all looked at him expectantly, and he felt a wave of panic rise in his throat.
“So, uh…yeah. Like I said. It’s a lot to think about.”
“I’m going to miss you, Evie. You’ve been my best customer here at the Lit Loft all month!”
