AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She listened as I poured out my heart, only interrupting for clarification.
I finally wrapped it up. “So, with the internal investigation, changes to the board of directors, and the need to cover Ratcliffe’s job, it’s a mess.”
“And you don’t want to do a two-week multi-city business trip.”
“I really, really don’t. They said the extra travel would be temporary, but even temporarily, I don’t want to be away from Brayleigh and …” I cleared my throat. “From Brayleigh that long or that often.”
“Or Ares, I’m guessing?”
“Or Ares.” I pressed my lips together. “Which makes it so much more complicated! Suddenly, I have a man so I don’t want the dream job?”
“It’s okay to step back, Hope.”
“The timing seems a little suspicious,” I grumbled.
Maeve hummed. “Why is it considered a weakness when a woman chooses to follow her heart?”
As usual, Maeve left me with words to ponder. More than anything, I wanted to talk to my mother. I knew what she’d say. Secretly, it’s exactly what I wanted to hear. Which angered me.
I called my dad instead and gave him the same rundown I gave Maeve.
“You have to make your own decision, Hope.”
“That’s not very helpful, Dad,” I joked.
“I know it’s not. But this is a decision that will profoundly affect your life.”
“What would you do if you were me?”
“I can’t tell you that.”
I blew out an irritated breath.
He laughed. “I’ll tell you what I would do if it was me. If I had a choice, I would have chosen more time with you. More time with your mom. The travel was hard on us as a couple.”
“Is that why you separated?”
I held my breath. I’d never once asked for details. At twelve years old, my fears and worries and anger were highly egocentric.
But that split, seeing my mother cry so much, watching my dad walking down the path like lead ropes held him to the house, imprinted itself on me. I always wondered what he’d done to make her cry. Why he left. I’d even wondered if my dance lessons were too expensive.
If he’d wanted a boy instead.
He sighed. “It’s part of the reason. But I would never have let her go, Hope. She needed healing. And she got it. And we’ve been solid ever since.”
“Why did she need healing?”
“That’s her story to tell, peaches,” he replied gently. “If you ask her, she’ll share.”
Ares
Hope broke into a run. “I’m so sorry, Ares!”
My brow furrowed. I didn’t like to see her upset. Especially with Brayleigh gazing up at her.
“It’s all good, Hope. We just got here,” I assured her.
“I got caught up. I called you to say I was on my way, but Eloise stopped me right at the elevator. Then there was an accident on the way home. I tried calling, but you didn’t pick up.”
