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“Lee, what’s going on in that head of yours?”
“This won’t work,” I conclude. “Have you thought about Cassie?”
“For the next five days, it is just the two of us. We’re not going to think about Cassie, your family, or the town,” he says, grasping both my arms gently with his hands as his light blue eyes connect with mine. “You’re afraid, I understand.”
“Do you?” I challenge him. “Because I don’t understand myself anymore. And then there are the consequences. It’s easier if I just move away and find a new life. What you’re proposing changes the lives of a lot of people.”
“Moving here shifts the entire landscape of Kentbury. Your departure would alter my life, who I am, and my future,” he says in a desperate tone. “I’d be hollow for the rest of my life.”
“You’ll be fine,” I reassure him with the same words I’ve been repeating inside my head since I decided to come to New York.
“You know that I suck at relationships. You’ve seen my role models. Both of them seem to be missing emotions and a heart. I’m afraid to lose what we have, which is why I never dared to think beyond our friendship,” he explains in what seems a desperate attempt to convince me that what he’s done in the past is to save us. “I can’t afford to lose you.”
“Why now?”
“I can’t deal with the idea of not seeing you every day, of not listening to your voice, or looking at your beautiful face. You have this magical power to make everyone feel special. When you’re next to me, I feel invincible.”
“You can still lose me,” I say, skeptical about the situation and his change of heart.
He nods. “At least a few years from now, when you visit Kentbury with your new family, I’ll be able to say I gave it my best—and I’m happy because you’re happy.”
His words take my breath away. They’re perfect. Each one filled with sadness and yet, a hint of hope.
“This week will be one of my most cherished memories,” he concludes.
I fight the tears, but a few escape. He clears them with his thumb and asks, “What’s the matter?”
“What you said reminds me of Dad. He loves Mom so much he’s never moved on. When we ask him, he always says he has us. We’re the best part of the two of them. He doesn’t need more. One day, they’ll find each other in heaven where they can be together again—forever.”
I use the sleeves of my shirt to wipe my eyes. “That’s the kind of love I want.”
He takes me into his arms, rocking me from side to side. “Stay with me, Lee. Let us be whatever we’re supposed to be. Don’t fight us.”
* * *
Dating Landon seems like a dream.Dreams can come true, but what if I wake up in the middle of the perfect kiss and get hit by the rawness of reality? He’s just a friend.
I want to believe in the magic of love, soul mates, and Landon Miller.
Maybe I should, but it’s hard to believe after so many years. Landon has never let me down. I should trust him. He’s never promised more than being there for me when I need him. And he’s always there. Sun, rain, or in this case, snow.
Five days he asked for, and when I told him I had the interview tomorrow, he wasn’t pleased. He felt like I was already giving up.
The job interview isn’t about him. It’s about me. I don’t want to look back on my life in twenty years’ time and wonder about the things I avoided or let go because I stopped putting myself first. Like getting this job at The Ambassador. I’m going to continue the process because I want options. Or at least, I’ll show myself that I’m capable of doing more than running the B&B and the gift shop while making sure that my brothers don’t ruin our legacy.
Landon isn’t thrilled about my decision, but he understands and supports me. Tonight, we’re going out on our first date—after I fix my hair and hopefully my nails. Once he leaves the room, I call the front desk to see if they have any appointments open at their spa and salon. While waiting for them to answer, I browse through their menu of services. I might ask for a lavender and cucumber wrap massage later this week. Thankfully, they can squeeze me in to do my hair, but not my nails.
While I’m on my way to my appointment, I text Damian.
Lee: We should add a spa in the resort and have Karla Olson run it.
He doesn’t answer. I forget about him while I get pampered. We can talk about the family business next weekend. After a couple of hours, I feel like a model. It’s been too long since the last time I got a haircut, let alone had my hair done by a professional. Karla, the town’s stylist, only cuts it and sends me on my merry way. When I reach the elevator bank, my phone vibrates inside my purse.
Damian: She has her own salon, why would she want to do that?
Ugh, why can’t he answer my texts when I send them.
Lee: We’d be offering services that she doesn’t have in her salon, like massages, facials, wraps, and many more. We’ll have the menu on our webpage. Pair them up with couples’ weekends at the B&B.
