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My way is so much easier: moving on, swallowing my feelings, and learning to live without him.
“This is your home,” he insists. I glare at him, hurt. “Sorry, I just don’t get it.” He runs a hand through his hair and starts picking up the dirty dishes.
“Every time you do something, I’m there to support you. I’d expect the same coming from you,” I say bitterly.
“Are you saying that I don’t support you?” He’s not raising his voice, but he sounds disappointed. “Usually, I don’t give a fuck about what people say or don’t say. I couldn’t care less about what they think of me, but you.” He huffs. “You, I care about. I give a shit about what you think or how you perceive me. I can’t believe you doubt me.”
“Hey, I’m not doubting you. But right now, I would love for you to say something like, Lee, go get the job. You’ll kick ass in New York.”
Landon presses his lips together. His gaze focuses on the empty bottle of wine. “I thought this town was enough for you. I guess you want more out of life. If that’s what you want, then I’ll support you.”
“Please, don’t smother me with your excitement.”
“What do you want from me, Lee?” His eyes find mine. “It’s like there’s something you’re upset about, but you won’t tell me. I did something to you that has upset you to the core. You can barely look at me. I can’t fix anything if you won’t tell me what’s bothering you.”
“There are things that you can’t put back together or solve.”
“I can always try,” he insists.
“Kentbury doesn’t have everything I need. Look at me. I’m thirty-two, single, and alone.”
He grunts. “You’re not alone. You have your dad, your brothers, Cassie, andme.”
“Yeah, but it’d be nice to have a boyfriend, a partner. Maybe even a husband. When I was giving a tour earlier today, I was thinking to myselfI want that.”
“A wedding?”
“A man who sees me like there’s no one else in the world but me. He knew what she needed even before she spoke. It’s about the stolen caresses, the conversations they had without words. She was telling him that in a couple of years, they’d bring their kids to see where they got married.”
“You want children.”
“My time is running out. I run a successful business, but success isn’t everything.” I tap my wrist. “I want kids, a husband, and my own family. I love Dad and my brothers, Kentbury, and my B&B. But I want to love someone.” I pause and look at him briefly because I do love someone, it’s just unrequited love. “I want a man who loves me back.”
“We love you, Lee.”
I sigh. “Dad might be single, but he has us. You have Cassie. If you look closely, I don’t have anyone. New York might open up the possibilities.”
He looks at me for a long time and nods. “I get it. There’s nothing here for you.”
“I know.” I swallow the tears and go to the sink to wash the dishes.
He couldn’t have said it better: I’m not interested in being a part of your happiness.
“The interview is Tuesday,” I say as I set the silverware in the dishwasher. “My brothers said they have everything covered.”
“Have you bought a plane ticket?”
“No, I’m driving.”
“You can’t drive while there’s a storm hitting the East Coast,” he warns me.
“Are you going to complain about my driving skills? I think I’m a good driver, Landon,” I say, biting back the words,fuck you, I drove during a blizzard to take your child to the hospital when she had a high fever and you were stranded in Burlington.
I don’t say a word.
“You are, but it’s not safe. Take the train or a plane tomorrow night, I’ll pay for it if you need it.”
“I can’t leave tomorrow. I’ll leave on Monday and still have plenty of time,” I protest.
