Page 90 of Just One Chance

His forehead wrinkled. "The question is, did they change for her too? And if so, what are you going to do about it?"

"Isn't she coming back for the snow room's reveal? I'll talk to her then." But that seemed like a long time away. So much could happen in a few weeks. What if she decided that she never really loved me at all?

"If you want Kennedy, I think you have to go to her and tell her what you're willing to give up for her."

I gestured around us. "I'm building a business and a home here."

"Think how convincing you'll be when you tell her you're willing to give it all up to be with her."

"I don't know if I am though." Could I walk away from the business I was building to live in a beachfront condo? Would I be happy if I couldn't work with my hands and build something?

"How would you feel if you never get another chance with her?"

"Like my heart was ripped out of my chest." Because that's how I felt the last few days.

"If you want to build your business, you'll make it happen no matter where you live. Since I took a step back, nothing has really changed. Sure, I don't travel as much, but then again maybe I never needed to. A lot can be done virtually now."

"Yeah, but your job is consulting. Mine is to build items out of wood that are difficult and heavy to ship. I need to be on location to really have a chance."

"You think those Miami people don't want handmade goods?"

"Probably not. Isn't modern furniture all the rage there?" I asked, even as my mind weighed the possibilities. Could I go to Kennedy and tell her how I felt?

"Whatever you decide to do, you know we'll support you. But I think it's a mistake not to go after her and at least tell her how you feel."

"I don't know what to do. I thought my life was here." I'd never seriously considered moving. Could I do it?

* * *

A few days later, I got an answer of sorts.

Kennedy: I'm heading home to check on my condo.

Boone: Are you done with the job?

Kennedy: I gave him my suggestions. I think they're amazing, but he wanted to hire me on a full-time basis.

I'd hate it if she worked full-time in New York. It would mean she'd never move here, and I wasn't sure I could move to New York. There was no space there for a workshop.

Boone: You don't want that?

Kennedy: I'll never work for another hotel again. I built the business so I could have autonomy. It wasn't an easy decision though. He offered me a lot of money.

Boone: You have to do what makes you happy.

Kennedy: Yeah.

And that was it. Not that she wanted to come see me. She went home to Miami. The snow room reveal was coming up, and she'd be in town for that. Should I wait for it, or should I meet her in Miami?

I couldn't shake the idea that she'd told me her whereabouts for a reason. She'd reached out. But what did it mean?

The next day, I was working in the shop when I saw my future stretch out before me with endless orders for furniture and long hours in my shop with no one to go home to. My brothers and sister would get married, have a few kids, and be happy. What would I have?

I was building a business and a home, but they were meaningless without someone to share them with. And not just anyone. Kennedy.

I closed the shop and showered. Then I packed my bags. I wasn't sure when I was going to be home. I'd already sent a huge stock of items to the hardware store, and I left instructions for Beck to assist with any other orders while I was out of town.

I needed to hire a manager. Maybe I could work part-time here, and then the rest of the year in Miami. It wasn't ideal, but it could work. The more I thought about it, the more excited I got. It was crazy how when you opened your mind to the possibilities, more flowed to you.