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Every time my phone buzzed, my heart would stutter, thinking and hoping it was him. That he was begging me again, asking me one more time to come back. Because if he did, I wasn’t sure I’d have the strength to say no.
I left, and no matter how much I loved him, I couldn’t undo it—even three weeks later.
That last night haunted me. The way we touched, the way we looked at each other. The love confessions whispered against heated skin as he completely ruined me. Colton had left his mark—on my body, on my soul. Forever.
“Nellie!”
Laney’s voice rang through my office, snapping me out of my haze as she barged in without knocking.
“I know you’re getting ready to leave, and I’d hate to keep you, but I have to tell you this piping hot tea. So, Zachary in accounting—”
“Laney, for the love of God, do you ever just shut up?” I snapped.
The words had barely left my mouth before regret sank in, heavy and immediate.
“I’m so sor—”
“No.” She held up a finger, eyes flashing. “Apology not accepted. Know why?”
I had a feeling she was about to tell me.
“Because you’ve been a real raging bitch since coming back from Montana.” Her hands went to her hips, her stance unshakable. “Not for nothing, but I thought this trip was supposed to clear your head, give you some big epiphany about life. And yet, here you are. Worse.”
I exhaled, my shoulders sagging under the weight of everything I hadn’t said.
“I know I—”
“No.” She pointed that same finger at me, cutting me off again. “I’m not done. Don’t speak until I’ve finished saying what I’ve been wanting to for the last three weeks.”
Leaning back in my chair, I mimed zipping my lips and waited for her to rip me apart.
“I know why you’re acting like this,” she continued, her voice softer but no less determined. “Before you start denying it, don’t. You were happy when we talked on the phone. You were passionate about the work you were doing. And then the second you stepped foot back in this city, you shut down. Like you flipped a damn switch.”
I stared at her, unwilling to argue, because she wasn’t wrong.
“It’s because of Colton.” She tilted her head, daring me to deny it. “Not just the place, though, maybe that has a little to do with it. But it’s him. You fell for that man, and now you’re taking it out on everyone else because you made the wrong decision.”
I scoffed, crossing my arms. “There was no decision to be made. You make it sound like I had a real choice.”
“Because you did!” she shot back, pointing at me again. “You could’ve stayed. You could’ve fought for it. Instead, you didn’t even try.”
“Try?” I repeated, rising to my feet. “What was there to try? I have a job here, an important one, at that. He has his ranches. The city isn’t where he wants to be. I know it!”
Laney rolled her eyes. “Please,” she exhaled, exasperated. “I know you better than anyone in the world. You’re my best friend, and you need to listen when I say this.”
“I’m all fucking ears,” I shot back, spreading my arms wide.
“Give him and the relationship a chance. Stop assuming you know what’s best for everyone and let them make the choice.”
“It’s not that easy,” I argued, grabbing my bag and stuffing my laptop inside.
“Okay, enlighten me.” Her voice was firm, unwavering.
I sighed, pressing my lips together. “I’m not going to tie him down. I won’t make him travel back and forth just to see me. I don’t have the time to be out there constantly. It would be a long-distance relationship built on stolen moments, fleeting weekends.” I turned to face her, bracing my hands against my desk, the deep hues of sunset painting the skyline behind me. “That won’t be enough for me.”
Laney stepped closer, placing her hands on the desk opposite me. “Nellie, we ran this company without you for two months. We can do it again, even longer. You’ll be remote, you can come whenever you want. You don’t need to be here. Give it a chance.”
I exhaled sharply, letting my head hang between my shoulders. Taking a few deep breaths, I tried to calm the storm inside me. “What if it doesn’t work out?” I finally asked, lifting my gaze to hers.
