Page 82 of Falling For Us Again

I sigh. “Maggie…”

Silence drags between us for what feels like an eternity.

“I’m sorry for being an oblivious fool.”

She chuckles lightly. “Whatever. I’m over you already.”

I smile at that. “The cafe will miss you. How am I ever going to run it without your expertise?”

“Oh please. I’m just leaving for a couple of weeks. You’ll be ok. Plus, Gia and Timmy are around.”

I sigh again. “Take care of yourself Maggie.”

“Take care, Dyl.”

The call ends, and I fall back into my bed. Everyone seems to be leaving; everyone needs space to figure out their feelings. I fear the distance growing between Maggie and me. It’s hard to admit, but perhaps space is what we all need.

My bed feels too big, the emptiness in my chest gnawing at me. It's been two weeks since Jenna left, and I can’t shake the hollowness of her absence.

I’ve tried to keep myself busy, to focus on work, on anything to keep my mind off her, but it’s no use. Every thought circles back to her, to the weight of everything we uncovered, to the way she slipped away without a word.

Once again.

But now I can't even be bitter. It’s a lot for anyone to handle, but I wish she’d let me in a little and give me a heads-up that shewas going to leave. Maybe I might have tried to convince her to stay, but I know I’d have respected her choice.

She won’t answer my calls.

My body feels heavy, like it’s carrying a weight I can’t shed. The morning light filters through the blinds, casting long shadows across the room. I sit there for a long moment, just breathing, trying to gather the courage to face another day without her.

I’ve been running on autopilot since Jenna left. I haven’t let myself fully feel it yet—the loss, the uncertainty, the way everything seems to be unraveling all at once. But today, something inside me shifts. I can’t stay here, waiting, hoping that she’ll come back. I need to do something. Anything.

My phone buzzes on the nightstand, and I glance at it, seeing Kam Powell’s name light up the screen. Shit. The meeting in L.A. is tomorrow.

I’d nearly forgotten in the haze of everything. I never told anyone why I left LA in the first place. Maggie has always suspected that it had something to do with Jenna, but I denied every time. But she was right.

I remember the day I was told we were having a special guest—Jenna Goldberg—I hadn’t seen her in over six years. Last I heard she was living in NY, but apparently recently located to LA and her publisher was throwing a launch party for her new book.

I almost bumped into her in the lobby and ducked behind a planter just in time. She was with her boyfriend and looked happy. Seemingly untouched by the years that had passed, and unaffected by our history.

It feels foolish to think about now, but I was heartbroken all over again. I left for Hartlow the following week like a coward. I couldn’t bear the thought of her living so close and having to hear about her romantic escapades in the tabloids.

I rub my eyes as my thoughts drift to the meeting with Kam. I don't know if I’m ready for it, but it feels like a lifeline—I’ll take the meeting, and then... maybe I’ll find Jenna.

I don’t know what I’ll say, but I can’t let things end like this. I can’t lose her again.

***

When I arrive at Kam’s office, I’m greeted by his assistant, who leads me into a sleek conference room. Kam’s waiting for me, dressed in his usual sharp suit, his expression bright.

“Geez, Dylan, you're a hard man to convince.” He says good-naturedly as we shake. “It took me months to get you to come out here.”

I smile lightly. “It’s good to see you again Kam. The hotel is stunning, congratulations.”

“Thank you, man.”

We sit down, and Kam gets straight to business, outlining the project and what I can expect if I take the job. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“So, Dylan, are you in?”

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