Chapter 30 #2
Somehow the way he said it made it feel as if he were saying something else. Something more profound and personal.
My heart sank.
Breakfast was normal, and I told myself to stop reading meanings into words that weren’t there.
He was Jesse. Slightly grumpy when I added too much syrup to my stack of pancakes and stole the last piece of bacon.
He drank three mugs of coffee then muttered about too much caffeine.
Snuck pieces of bacon to both Barney and Miller, pretending that he hadn’t.
Asked about dinner, a hopeful gleam in his eye when he did.
“I’m going out with the girls tonight,” I reminded him.
“Right. I forgot. I think I’ll order in pizza. If you’re lucky, I’ll save you a slice.”
I stood, carrying my plate to the sink. “Sounds good.”
He tilted his head to the side, studying me. “You okay, Pix? You look tired. Didn’t sleep well? Was I snoring?”
I waved him off. “I’m fine.”
He leaned on the counter across from me. “Did what happened last night upset you?”
For a moment, I thought he meant what he’d said. Then I realized he meant the run-in with his family.
“Only because they were awful to you. I can’t believe your parents just stood there.”
He shrugged. “I’m over it. I really am. But I will never forget what you did for me. How you stood up for me.”
I swallowed at the intense look in his eyes. The serious tone of his voice.
“Please don’t,” I whispered in my head. “Don’t do this.”
“I’m lucky to have you in my life,” he began.
I had to stop him. I couldn’t have him say the words when I couldn’t say them back.
I slapped his chest, forcing a laughing tone to my voice. “Damn right you are, Thorne. You’re lucky I put up with you. Even if it is temporary.” I winked at him. “Good thing your grumpy ass is so sexy.”
He frowned, then began to laugh, although it sounded forced.
“Back at you, Pix.”
“I have to get to work.”
“Go. I’ll clean up and head out. I’ll see you later.”
I waved at him. “You’ll know where I’ll be.”
And I ran.
My phone rang around two. I rubbed my tired eyes as I looked at the number and answered the call. It was the CEO of the company I had worked for before I’d come here.
“Mr. Wheaton. How are you?”
“Casey. I’m good. How are you?”
“Great.”
“Listen, I’m not going to beat around the bush. I have an offer for you.”
“Oh?”
“It’s a great opportunity. You accept this and accomplish it—which I know you will—you can write your own ticket.”
I was intrigued. “How long a project?”
“Nine to twelve months.”
“Wow.”
“I’m going to send you details. Look it over and call me tomorrow.”
“I have a lot on my plate right now.”
“We’ll work around it. But you’re the right one for this. I know it. And the salary is more than generous. Plus bonuses. Read it and make your list of questions—knowing you, there will be a lot. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“Okay. I look forward to your email.”
I hung up, wondering what the project was and what it would entail. I wondered if I had enough equipment to handle it or if I would have to buy more.
I shrugged and returned to the task at hand. I supposed I’d find out when the email came through.
I reread the email I’d printed out. Then I read it again.
Mr. Wheaton was right. The project was an incredible opportunity. The salary was tremendous. The scope and the number of people it would take to do this were huge. It also required something he hadn’t mentioned. Me moving back out west and being present for the entire time.
I looked back at the details, wondering why I wasn’t excited. This was a great opportunity. It was what I lived for. What I had been working for.
And moving was never a big deal. I did it all the time.
I looked around my snug little nest. Somehow, this time, the decision saddened me.
Leaving here felt like leaving Lou again.
I sensed her here with me. Every day, another memory surfaced.
And every memory, aside from the times we left, was a happy one.
I liked Covington. I seemed to fit in here.
Other places I’d lived always felt like stops along the way.
Aside from coworkers, I made very few connections.
Here, I had made friends, and it was going to be hard to say goodbye, even if it had only been a short while.
I glanced at the sofa where Miller and Barney slept. Barney would miss his friend terribly. He’d be dreadfully unhappy when we left. But he’d adapt.
Jesse’s face swam in my mind.
I felt the oddest sensation when thinking of telling him goodbye. Leaving this place.
Leaving him. The thought of not seeing him again almost choked me, but there wasn’t another option. This opportunity was everything I had worked for. Everything I had wanted.
Or was it? a voice whispered in my head.
I rolled my shoulders. Of course it was.
And leaving here would be harder than usual because of the memories tied to Lou. Jesse himself was part of that. And I liked him. I really liked him.
But that was all it was. That was all it could be.
I pushed away the sadness. I’d adapt too.
I always did.