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“The door’s not closed. As long as there’s a spot here, it’s yours. I can’t promise not to fill it, but if you decide to come back and the spot’s available, we’ll welcome you back.”
“I don’t deserve that.” I’m getting weepy again.
She purses her lips. “Did you murder someone to get that promotion?”
I laugh. “No.”
Her smile is broad and so forgiving. “Then you’re redeemable. Now get out of here and catch that plane before you lose this opportunity.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Noah
Today has been a good day. That talk with Mabel Jones was even more solid gold than I expected. Not only did she sign on as a patient, but fifteen more women, likely her friends, also signed on.
Gentry smiled more today than I’ve seen since I met her. Except when Levi came in to install an outlet cover he’d missed. She frowned and glared while he was there and for a good hour after he left.
I’d love to know why she hates him so much, but she’s not talking.
The Weston house is quiet and the whiteboard in the kitchen explains why. Honey is working the dinner shift at the diner. Dani is out with Grant for an afternoon hike. Goldy is at Henry’s for the night. And Clover has evening classes at the gym. Daisy’s car is in the drive, so I head upstairs to her room.
“Hey, Daisy,” I call through the open door of her bedroom. “Want to have dinner together? I’m thinking about making—” I freeze in the doorway, trying to understand what I’m seeing. “You’re packing?”
Daisy’s hair is in a messy bun on top of her head and she’s wearing an over-sized sweatshirt and yoga pants - her designated comfy travel wear. She winces at my expression, then forces a wide smile. “Fernwood called this morning. He’sgiving me the promotion, but he needs me back in New York immediately.”
It feels like the floor falls out from beneath me. As irrational as it may be, I feel like the kid I once was, small and unimportant, being left again by my parents as they rush off to a meeting or party or cocktail hour.
I was an idiot for thinking I would be enough to hold Daisy here.
As much as I told myself I would live in the moment and worry about her leaving when it happened, I still expected her to choose me. Deep down, I thought I’d be enough.
“Stay.” The word is out before I can rein it back in and I’m not sure I want to.
Her shoulders slump. “This was always the plan, Noah. You knew from the beginning I wanted to get back to New York, no matter what it took.” Her voice is pinched, her eyes glassy, and she’s so damn beautiful.
I hate the look on her face, but she’s doing this to herself. She’schoosingto hurt us both. “And nothing’s changed? Your sisters are counting on you for the battle of the bands. I’m counting on you for the grand opening party.”I love you.I don’t say it, because it will hurt too much when even those words aren’t enough to keep her here.
“You’ll be fine. Everyone will believe in your loyalty to the town when you tell them your fiancée moved back to the city, and you chose this place over her.”
“Is that what you think I’m doing? You think I’m choosing this place over you?”
Her laugh is dry and brittle. “Of course not. You belong here. And long distance would never work for us. I’ll be working longer hours than ever and I won’t put you before my career. You’d hate me in the end.”
I step closer and cup her cheek in my hand. My body’s vibrating with hurt and anger and an illogical sense of betrayal. “For the record, I could never hate you. I’ve dated you for weeks and I just want more of you. You have a job here you like and a family who loves you. Can New York and Tenth Avenue Books offer you more than we can?”
A tear streaks down her cheek. She steps away from my touch, grabs her carry-on, and puts it over her shoulder. “I hope we can still be friends, Noah.”
My heart breaks and I can barely look at her without dropping to my knees and begging. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
She lets out a tiny whimper, but nods once and grabs her suitcase. “I’ve got a ride share coming to take me to the airport. You and my sisters can use my car whenever you like.”
She walks past me and out of my life.
I sink down to sit on the edge of her bed. The room smells like her, sweet and citrusy.
I have to get out.
I head down to the kitchen and stand there listening as a car door slams and tires roll over gravel and away.
