Chapter 29
The Next Plan
In June, Lucy's fellowship offered her a choice for the final three months.
Stay fully in New York.
Or split her time between New York and Boston to run the dual-city pilot.
She chose the pilot.
Not because Ben was in Boston.
Not only because Ben was in Boston.
Because the work was hers.
That distinction mattered.
She told him over dinner at the cafe near the library.
"So," Ben said, "how many nights a week are you officially back?"
"Three. Sometimes four."
"Dangerous."
"Why?"
"I might get used to you."
Lucy smiled.
"Too late."
He reached across the table and took her hand.
"I have a question."
Lucy's heart kicked.
Ben saw it and laughed.
"Not that question."
"I hate you."
"No, you don't."
"What is the question?"
"My lease is up in November."
Lucy waited.
"And yours is up in December."
"You know when my lease ends?"
"I know many things."
"Suspicious."
Ben smiled.
"Would you maybe want to look for a place together? Not now. Not as a solution to anything. Just because by then we'll have been doing this for over a year, and I think I'd like to argue with you about cabinet space."
Lucy stared at him.
There it was again.
No dramatic demand.
No sacrifice.
A future offered as a question.
"Maybe," she said.
Ben's smile widened.
"Maybe?"
"This October, ask me again."
He laughed.
"Deal."
A week before the new festival began, Lucy and Ben toured the apartment from the listing.
The living room had two tall windows and uneven hardwood floors. The kitchen was small. The second bedroom was technically large enough for a desk if the desk had modest ambitions.
Lucy walked through each room slowly.
Ben stayed quiet.
The landlord pointed out the laundry room and left them alone for a few minutes.
Lucy stood in the kitchen.
"The cabinet storage is terrible."
"I knew you'd say that."
"The refrigerator opens into the doorway."
"Also true."
"The light is good."
"Very."
She looked toward the windows.
From the living room, she could see the tops of trees already turning orange.
Ben stepped beside her.
"We don't have to take it."
Lucy smiled.
"You really have learned not to push."
"Painfully."
She leaned into his shoulder.
"I like it."
"Even the refrigerator?"
"I can redesign the kitchen layout."
"Of course you can."
Lucy looked at him.
"You know what I like most?"
"What?"
"That we're looking because we want to. Not because it solves New York. Not because of the festival. Not because Mara thinks it would be cute."
Ben nodded.
"Just because we're ready."
Lucy took his hand.
"Maybe."
He laughed.
"Still maybe?"
"Always maybe until the lease is signed."
"That's my girl."
The words warmed her more than she expected.
Not his possession.
His person.
There was a difference.