Page 5 of Wolf.e

I place my hand on top of his and smile. “I know, and it’s okay.”

“No, it’s not. I promise once I pass and this next chapter is closed, we’ll have more time to spend together. I need to know if you want to move onto the next step with me, and if you do it’s going to require us to be open and honest and willing to sacrifice a little.”

I smile. “I mean, I’ve always envisioned moving forward with you,” I trail off, slightly confused by his lead up.

“It won’t be easy, but if you stick with me through this, we can talk about taking the next step after that. If by the time I’m all settled you’ve sorted out your career and got your promotion, maybe at that point you’ll have even moved out of that magazine and into something a little more prominent.”

I flinch but smile through it. Evan has always considered my career choice to be more of a hobby. Those were his words. I hate that he looks at it like it’s less because it’s a creative job. In the spirit of not ruining this night, I let it go.

He smiles wide, looking gorgeous.

“Okay, sweetheart, here it goes.” He takes a deep breath. “I’ve been offered a position with Foster Grant and Spire in New York. It’s a year-long contract and may be extended after that,” he says, beaming with excitement as he mentions a very prominent firm.

Wait, what?

“I-I’m sorry?” I ask in shock as our dessert and champagne arrives, no diamond in sight.

He smiles even wider, oblivious that a thousand imaginary hearts just broke into pieces and shattered at my feet.

“Yes, I told you this was life changing. It’s a huge opportunity for me,” he says.

Not for us, for him.

I pull my hand away and take a sip of—okay, I chug—half the glass of champagne as I listen to him tell me how prestigious this is and once his year-long contract is up, he’ll be able to come back here and have any job in Atlanta he wants.

“You’ve already accepted this?” I ask, my voice cracking.

His smile drops. “Of course, I thought you’d be happy for me, this is a big step. Like I said, life changing.”

“Evan, you didn’t think to consult me before you committed us to moving across the country?”

Evan begins to shake his head, something that almost resembles shock lines his face.

“I thought… Babe, I thought you’d just stay here; I know you’re up for that promotion and I could fly back every other weekend.”

WHAT?

“Evan… I…” I have no words. How stupid of me to assume this night was about us, a proposal. Our future. Something to look forward to. Evan is the type of man my parents always hoped I’d marry. To hear he isn’t even thinking about it is… well, devastating.

“Plus, Brinley, I’ll really need to focus when I’m there. If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather you stayed here. We’re both adults, we can handle a little long distance,” he adds.

I recoil, leaning back in my chair.

I can’t stop my eyes from filling up, and no matter how hard I try to stop the words from bubbling up, they come anyway.

“I thought you were going to propose to me tonight.” I laugh like a lunatic through my tears, knowing just how pathetic and needy I sound, also knowing how much Evan hates when I cry. He dubs that kind of emotion dramatic.

Evan stares at me, and I feel the distance between us like someone just dropped a thousand-pound weight onto the table. We’re on two completely different planets here and I have no idea how I didn’t see it before now.

“Brinley, I—You’re beautiful and sweet, but marriage just… it isn’t on my radar right now. My career has to come first, and you’d have to… establish yourself more before my family would accept… that.”

Ouch.

“By that, you mean me,” I say quietly, using my napkin to dab at my tears. “I’m not good enough for you, you mean,” I guffaw before sucking back the rest of my champagne and refilling it to the brim.

“Babe, you’re making a bit of a spectacle in front of the entire restaurant,” he leans in, speaking quietly. I barely notice because I’m spiraling.

What am I doing with this man? How did I not see this? Everything comes crashing down on me all at once. We don’t have a relationship. We’re… roommates. Really good roommates.

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