Chapter 17 #3
"So different. At the bakery, everything was about efficiency. Making as much as possible, as fast as possible, to serve as many customers as possible. Here—" Lucy gestured to their simple lunch, "—it's about quality. About taking time."
They ate on Lucy's balcony (barely big enough for two chairs), looking out at Paris.
"I could get used to this," Jake said.
"Could you? Really? Living in Paris, navigating French bureaucracy, being far from everyone you know?"
"I don't know. Maybe. If it meant being with you."
"But you love Timber Falls. It's your home."
"You're my home."
Lucy felt tears threaten. "Don't say things like that."
"Why not? It's true."
"Because it makes the choice harder! Jake, if you're willing to move to Paris for me, how can I choose Timber Falls? I'd be choosing the easier option instead of the brave one."
"Choosing us isn't the easy option. It's just a different kind of brave."
"Is it? Or is it just me being scared to commit to Paris fully?"
Jake set down his fork. "Lucy, I can't tell you what to choose. I can't make this decision for you. But I can tell you this—whatever you decide, it needs to be because it's what you want. Not because you're scared or guilty or trying to make anyone else happy. Your choice. Your reasons. Your life."
"That's what everyone keeps saying. But what if I don't know what I want?"
"Then keep exploring until you do. Take the job in Paris. See how it feels. You don't have to decide your entire future today. Just the next step."
"The restaurants want an answer by July 15th."
"So answer them. Say yes or no to Paris. And if you say yes, we figure out long distance for real. Or we don't. But Lucy—you can't choose your entire life based on what you think might happen with us. You have to choose what's right for you."
Lucy stared at her plate, trying to process everything Jake was saying.
He was right. She knew he was right. But choosing still felt impossible.
"Can I show you something else?" Lucy asked.
"Of course."
That afternoon, Lucy took Jake to Le Cordon Bleu. Classes were done, finals were over, but the building was still open for students to use the kitchens for practice.
"This is where I spend most of my time," Lucy said, leading Jake through the hallways.
She showed him everything—the teaching kitchens where Chef Laurent held court, the library full of centuries-old cookbooks, the student lounge where she'd spent countless hours studying with Amelie and James.
"It's incredible," Jake said, looking around. "I can see why you love it here."
"It's not just the school. It's—everything.
The way cooking is respected here. The focus on technique and artistry.
The history and tradition of it all." Lucy paused in the main teaching kitchen.
"At the bakery, I made the same things every day for five years.
Here, I make something new every single day.
I'm constantly learning, constantly challenged. "
"You could be constantly challenged in Timber Falls too. Open your restaurant. Create your own menu. Build something new."
"It's not the same."
"I know."
They stood in the empty kitchen, and Lucy felt the weight of her choice settle over her again.
"I don't know how to choose," she finally said. "I don't know how to decide between this life and that one."
"Then maybe you need to trust your gut. Not your head with its pros and cons lists. Not your heart pulling you in both directions. Just your gut. What does it say?"
Lucy closed her eyes. Tried to quiet all the voices—Chef Laurent saying to stay, Uncle Walter saying to follow her heart, Jake saying it was her choice, Amelie and James and Yuki all offering their opinions.
In the silence, what did Lucy's gut say?
She didn't know. Or maybe she did know and was too scared to admit it.
"I need more time," Lucy said, opening her eyes.
"Okay. That's okay." Jake took her hand. "You have eight more days with me here. Then five days after I leave until your deadline. That's almost two weeks. Take them."
"What if two weeks isn't enough?"
"Then it isn't enough. But Lucy—at some point, you have to choose. You can't live in maybe forever."
Jake stayed until July 10th, just like he'd planned.
They spent the week exploring Paris together—visiting museums, eating at tiny bistros Lucy had discovered, walking along the Seine at sunset. It was beautiful and bittersweet, both of them knowing the clock was ticking down.
On Jake's last night, Lucy made a decision. She took him to her favorite spot in Paris—a park on a hill in Montmartre with a perfect view of the city.
"This is where I come when I need to think," Lucy said as they sat on the grass, watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle in the distance.
"It's perfect."
"Jake, I need to tell you something. Before you leave."
Jake turned to face her. "Okay."
"I love you. I love you so much. And this week, being with you here in Paris—it's shown me that we could make it work. You could visit, I could visit, we could do long distance for real. It's possible."
"But?"
"But I don't think I want to. Not because I don't love you. But because I think—" Lucy took a breath, "—I think we both deserve more than weekend visits and video calls. We deserve someone who's there. Really there."
Jake was quiet for a long moment. "So you're staying in Paris."
"I think so. Yes. I think I'm staying."
"Okay."
"Just okay?"
"What do you want me to say? That I'm devastated? I am. That I wish you'd choose to come home? I do. But Lucy—" Jake took her hand, "—I also see how happy you are here. How much you've grown. And I can't ask you to give that up. Even for me."
"So we're really breaking up."
"I think we broke up months ago. We just haven't admitted it until now."
Lucy felt tears start. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry. You're choosing yourself. That's what you came here to do. And you did it. I'm proud of you."
"I feel like I'm losing you."
"You're not losing me. I'll always care about you. But Lucy—we want different things now. You want Paris and a career in French cooking and new adventures. I want Timber Falls and coaching and a life in one place. Neither of those is wrong. They're just—different."
They sat on that hill in Montmartre until the Eiffel Tower stopped sparkling at 1 AM. Then they walked back to Lucy's apartment and made love one last time—gentle and sad and full of goodbye.
In the morning, Lucy walked Jake to his taxi.
"Good luck," Jake said. "With everything. The restaurant job, Paris, all of it."
"Good luck with coaching. With the Wolves. You're going to be great at it."
"Thanks."
They hugged, and Lucy felt Jake's arms around her one last time. Solid. Real. The future she was choosing to walk away from.
"Bye, Lucy."
"Bye, Jake."
Jake got in the taxi, and Lucy watched it drive away.
And then he was gone.
Lucy stood on the Paris street corner and cried. Not dramatic sobs—just quiet tears for what might have been. For the relationship they'd had. For the future they wouldn't share.
But underneath the sadness was something else. Relief, maybe. Or certainty. Or just the knowledge that she'd finally chosen.
Paris. Her career. Herself.
It was the right choice. She knew it was the right choice.
Even though it hurt like hell.
Lucy walked back to her apartment, pulled out her phone, and emailed all three restaurants.
Thank you for your patience. I'm accepting the position at Le Bernardin. When can I start?
Then she texted Amelie and James: I'm staying in Paris.
Their responses were immediate.
Amelie: I knew it! We celebrate tonight!
James: YESSSS! Paris needs you!
Lucy set down her phone and looked out at the city she was choosing. Paris in July was beautiful—warm and bright and full of possibility.
This was her home now. Really her home.
She'd chosen herself. Her dreams. Her future.
And if that future didn't include Jake—well, she'd learn to live with that.
Somehow.