AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The job opportunity of a lifetime had just presented itself. One she’d never dreamed possible, but one that was offering her the lifestyle she’d always said she wanted.
And all she could think about was if she could truly live without seeing Trent’s loving gaze every day.
…
He’d be supportive of whatever Whitney decided.
The job opportunity was one she deserved, one she’d excel at…one that would take her away from him.
Trent’s chest tightened at the thought.
Long-distance relationships were tough but not impossible. They’d make it work. He could take a few days off every month and visit her wherever she was on the East Coast. Though, he knew the first year in business at the bar was the most crucial, so in reality, that possibility was unlikely. But there was still calls, texts, FaceTime…
Not ideal, but it would be okay. He was determined to make it work.
But was Whitney? Was she contemplating the new position with the same thought in mind or would she end things to pursue the life she wanted without the complications and ties to Blue Moon Bay? To him?
His cell phone rang as he locked the bar that evening, and he frowned seeing his mom’s number on the display. His stomach dropped. It was after midnight. She was never up this late.
“Mom? Everything okay?” he asked, answering the call as he headed toward his Jeep in the dark, empty parking lot.
“Your grandma had a heart attack,” she said—and Trent’s own heart shattered.
…
The day of the funeral was one of the saddest days of Whitney’s life. Instead of sitting in a training room in L.A., beginning a new career, she stood next to Trent in the cemetery, while the spring rain poured heavy from a dark, thick sky. She held his hand firmly in hers as his grandmother was laid to rest, knowing this was where she needed to be, where shewantedto be.
By his side through thick and thin, better or worse. Always. There would be other business opportunities but only one Trent.
…
Now…
She didn’t make it back on time. The appointment with her mother’s doctor had been a lengthy one, the news not encouraging. Therefore, it only made her mood worse when she climbed into her vehicle and received the text from Scott:
We did it! Blue Moon Bay will be a checkpoint stop on the next season of Race Across America!
She should be happy and excited that they’d won over the client with her pitch and presentation, but all she felt was ill on the way back from Rejuvenation that evening.
Go have a celebratory drink! You’ve certainly earned one.
Whitney needed a drink all right, but she was hardly in the mood to celebrate.
Scott would get the credit for her hard work. Mayor Rodale would only remember that it had been him who’d delivered the pitch to the executives and won over the client. No one would remember that she’d been the one to put the entire thing together.
She massaged her temple with her left hand as she drove toward Trent’s Tavern. Her migraines were getting worse, and stress made them that much more unbearable.
The news at Rejuvenation hadn’t been good. Her mother’s bloodwork from the week before indicated that the medications she was taking were having ill effects on her kidney and liver function. Dr. Tyler had recommended lowering the dose or switching to a new brand.
Both options had downsides, and it had taken hours of reviewing the possible alternatives to come to a decision to switch medication and see what happened after that. Her mother hadn’t been lucid enough to weigh in on the decision, and Whitney hated making decisions without her input.
But it was only going to get worse, not better.
Pulling into a parking spot behind the bar, next to Trent’s Jeep, she climbed out and went inside. It was only four in the afternoon, and she was grateful that the place was quiet and nearly empty and it was only Trent working.
“Hey, you,” Trent said as she approached the bar. “So?” he asked expectantly. He’d known about that day’s pitch, but she hadn’t had time to tell him about the Rejuvenation doctor’s appointment.
She nodded. “We got the contract.Race Across Americawill be coming to Blue Moon Bay.”
