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My mom shakes her head in dismay.
“Shame on you,” Cash mocks.
“I’m going to go find Marlow,” I announce. “I’ll be right back.
I weave through the crowd to where she’s standing with her friends. They’re too immersed in their conversation to notice me.
My steps falter when Andi asks Marlow “When did you find out?”
“Gavin called and told me on my way to pick up Lola from school today,” Marlow says with a downcast expression.
Why does she look so sad? She was smiling a few minutes ago.
“I can’t believe it. The Paris Art Collective offered you a residency?” Quinn lets out a low whistle. “Damn girl, that’s impressive. I’m sure Gavin was over the moon.”
“How long would you be in Paris?” Andi asks.
“Three months,” Marlow replies as she anxiously taps her foot.
My stomach drops, and I’m frozen to the spot, unable to move. The hallway is packed with people and I force myself to keep a straight face even though a crippling phantom pain shoots across my sternum.
“That’s forever,” Quinn complains. “What are Andi and I going to do…”
Unable to listen any longer, I take a step back and walk in the opposite direction toward my family before Marlow and her friends notice me. My ears ring as I run my hand through my hair.
That must be what she wanted to talk about later. Part of me wants to be upset with her for not telling me sooner, but I understand she didn’t want to overshadow Lola’s special night, and I appreciate it.
We haven’t discussed our long-term future, and she hasn’t told me she’d stay, but I assumed she would after everything we’ve been through. I guess I conveniently forgot she’s not one to stay in the same place for long, especially when a new opportunity presents itself.
I should have known this was too good to be true. I was always so careful until Marlow came along, and once I finally claimed her as mine, there was no going back for me—consequences be damned. Now, I’ll be left to pick up the pieces when she’s gone.
I feel like a twenty-pound weight is on my chest, making it difficult to breathe. I know Marlow doesn’t want to take away from Lola’s big night, but I won’t be able to relax until we talk about what I just overheard.
When I get back to where my family is standing around talking, I tap my mom on the shoulder. “Hey, Mom?”
She turns around to face me. “Yeah, sweetheart? Where’s Marlow?” She looks behind me.
“She’s talking to her friends.” I motion in their direction. “Would you and Dad be willing to take Lola out for ice cream? Marlow and I have something we need to talk about in private,” I say with a tight smile.
This is one conversation that we should have with just the two of us around—regardless of the outcome.
I don’t know what I’ll do if I lose her.
“Of course, sweetheart,” my mom says with a concerned expression. “Is everything okay?”
No.
“Yeah, everything is fine,” I lie.
When Marlow finishes her conversation and strides toward us, my heart aches at how damn beautiful she is. I wish I could throw her over my shoulder and take her somewhere we can talk right now, but I have to keep level-headed for Lola’s sake. There will be plenty of time for us to discuss when we get back to my place.
I’ll always support Marlow following her dreams, but I’ll be damned if I lose her in the process.
31
MARLOW
DYLAN IS UNUSUALLY QUIET ON the drive home.
