Page 45 of Falling For Us Again

"Dylan, my man," Kam’s voice crackles through the speaker, smooth and full of energy like always. "How’s it going? You had some time to think about the offer?"

I hesitate, staring at the floor as if the tiles might offer me some clarity. Head chef at the Kilton Hotel. It’s the kind of opportunity you don’t pass up, and yet, I left the city for a reason.

There’s so much more on the line now that Jenna’s back, but nothing is resolved. Is there even a chance for us? Maybe it is time to move on. To go back to what I love doing.

"Yeah, I’ve been thinking," I say, choosing my words carefully. "It’s a huge opportunity, Kam. I just... I still need a little more time to figure things out."

Kam sighs on the other end. "I get it. But you’re wasting your skills in that small town. You’re an acclaimed chef; you should be here. You love doing this. I know you do. I can hear it in your voice.”

My jaw clenches at his words. He’s not wrong, and going back sounds enticing, but I have to be sure that I’m fully ready this time.

"Okay, listen, I need you to come out to LA soon. We can sit down and talk it through in person. You’ve got to see the place and get a feel for it. I know once you’re here, you’ll see what I’m talking about."

I swallow, feeling the pressure build in my chest. Maybe this is the sign I’ve been waiting for.

"Yeah, okay," I say, forcing the words out. "I’ll come to LA. We can talk."

"Great," Kam says, his voice full of enthusiasm. "I’ll get things set up. Just let me know when you’re available to come. Talk soon, Dylan."

The line clicks off, and I’m left staring at my phone, the reality of the offer sinking in. LA. Head chef. Everything I’ve ever wanted. So why does it feel like a rock in my gut instead of a victory?

I push the phone back into my pocket and return to the counter. Maggie’s there, her eyebrows raised in that knowing way.

"Who was that?" she asks with her arms crossed loosely over her chest, even though I know she probably already has an idea.

"Kam Powells," I say, leaning against the counter and rubbing the back of my neck. "He wants me to head out to LA soon to talk about the position at the Kilton."

Maggie whistles low, her eyes widening. "Wow. That’s huge, Dylan, he’s really pulling out all the stops to get you to come."

I shrug, "Yeah, I guess. I mean, it’s everything I've always wanted, right?”

“At some point, yes, before you quit for no damn reason.”

“You remind me of this more than my mother.” I say with irritation.

“Somebody has to.”

I rub my face with a palm, sighing heavily. “But... I don’t know. It feels like there’s so much here that I’d be leaving behind."

Maggie’s quiet for a moment, and I can feel her assessing the situation, piecing together the things I haven’t said yet. She’s good at that—always seeing beyond the surface, picking up on the things I try to bury.

"Look," she says, her voice steady. "I’m not going to tell you what to do. But I will say this—whatever you decide, you’ll have my support. I can see the struggle in you. The fact that you mentioned it to me in at all shows how much you want it.”

“You’ve worked your butt off to make this cafe a success, and it is! You should be very proud of that, but if this is what you want, you should go for it.”

Going to L.A. means more than just a job... Jenna lives in L.A. I try not to think about this job in relation to her, but I can’t help it. The thought that we would be living together in the same city…

Don’t be delusional, Dylan.

I rub the back of my neck. Jenna will leave when she sells her family’s property, and I fear I’ll never get to see her again. We are just lovers at this point in our lives, nothing’s been resolved.

But this is a chance to be near her. Could we make it work again? Can I trust her with my heart again? Should I?

It’s a risk, a leap into the unknown, with no guarantee of what I’ll find on the other side.

Maggie gives me a small, reassuring smile, her hand resting briefly on my arm before she pulls away. "You’ve got time," she says softly. "Just... don’t rush it. Figure out what you want."

I nod, though uncertainty still clings to me like a shadow.

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