Page 143 of Chemistry: The Chemist

Her already large eyes grew bigger. “Eg–Eden!”

“I knoooow. And it’s bad. It’s big. It’s bold. It’s breathtaking. He’s– he’s breathtaking. I’m letting my team down, Art. I’m letting myself down. I’m le–”

“Woah. Woah. Let’s stop there. What do you mean, you’re letting yourself down? I’m a lover, Eden. I know what that feels like and why it feels that way. Maybe you have let your team down, but yourself, you haven’t and it’s exactly why I won’t agree you’ve messed up, babe.

“You’ve decided to live. And as you should. It’s just a job, Eden. It’s not your entire life. Whenever you’re gone, they’ll have someone to replace you before the dirt hardens over your casket. Don’t let them choose how you live. Shed your unhealthy commitment to the clock, to your career. Let down your hair. Free yourself, friend.”

Her logic had me reevaluating every doubt I had about Chem and me.

“I didn’t know he was the target when we met.”

“So? Even if you did. You have control of a lot of things, babe, but the thing in your chest… you don’t.”

“I was already gone by the time I discovered it. And nothing changed. Nothing. I think I was even more intrigued.”

“I would’ve been.”

“Ugh. It’s just frustrating because the reality of us being together is… it just doesn’t exist after everything comes to the forefront.”

“Then you have two options. Choose yourself or choose your career.”

“What are– I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“You understand exactly what I’m saying, babe. Put in your notice or bring him in. It’s simple, Eden.”

Her directness was startling. Art was the more reserved of our duet. However, her discourse on love as it pertained to life always unleashed something within her that was buried.

“It’s not.”

“Yes, it is, because we both know the obvious solution. There’s no amount of promotions to convince me to ignore my heart if I am confident the man I’ve fallen in love with is for me.”

“I know.”

“Does he check every box?”

I nodded. “Even boxes I didn’t have before him. He’s added so many to the list of expectations. He exceeds them all. Advance in every way.”

“How many boxes does your career check?”

She squinted, waiting for me to give her the answer.

“One,” I murmured.

“One.” She chortled. “So, please spare us both the unnecessary conversation and tell me about this man of yours. He sounds like a dream.”

“Art, you have no idea. He is the dream.”

She took a final sip of her drink as the server appeared.

“We’re going to need more of these. We’ll be here a while.”

Flushed with excitement, I quickly finished my drink and began ordering appetizers.

I’d taken Art’s advice.

Sleep on it, Egypt. When you wake up, your heart will tell you what is best for you… if it lets you rest.

My eyes darted across the living room where the digital clock displayed the time of the morning.

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