Page 58 of No Ordinary Love

And this time, I couldn't afford to lose her. I wouldn't.

I stood, watching Jax's car's taillights disappear into the Charleston night, my fists clenched at my sides.

"That was dumb," I heard Grandma's voice from behind me.

I turned to face her. "I didn't handle that well."

"You blew it, son."

"Damn Kath."

Grandma shook her head. "Come on inside. The damage is done and you need to let Amara have some time to analyze what happened. Let's hope she can see this wasallKath, and your biggest sin was letting her get away with it in public."

"What choice did I have?"

"Plenty. You just chose poorly." Grandma, as always, gave it to me straight.

Chapter 21

Amara

Iblocked Lucas on my phone again and also didn't open the door when he knocked. I told Jax to tell Rena to tell Lucas (sigh,I know that wasn't very adult of me) to back the fuck off. I wasdone. Kath could have him for all I cared.

I also handed in my resignation. Bobby, Basil, and Gemma were unhappy. I now had a meeting booked with the Chancellor because, apparently, she wasn't happy with my decision either.

It made me feel great that my colleagues thought so highly of me that they wanted me to stay; it also made me feel guilty, weak, and pathetic. I was a lovesick woman who was giving up her job because of a man. The feminist in me was snarling at me. My heart felt sore. My brain was tired of thinking.

My father had told me to stop being hard on myself. "You're coming home to your father. You're taking a break to get emotionally healthy. That's not weak. It takes strength to admityou need to take care of yourself. Also, I love the idea of having my daughter to myself for a few months."

My father was so supportive that I thought about what Rena had said. Our circumstances defined us. I came from a family where there was love and freedom of choice. Lucas came from a family where there was duty and obligation.

All that did was confirm for me that we were too different for our relationship to work. And, honestly, I wasn't here to fix some man's childhood issues. I was not Lucas's motherortherapist; I was his girlfriend…well, I used to be. I was no one's Band-Aid, not even Lucas's, no matter how much I loved him. The lovewouldpass, I decided, once I left this beautiful city that I knew I'd miss.

I walked into Chancellor Sharon Armstrong's office with a sense of finality. I'd tell her that I was moving on, that I wanted change.

"Amara, so glad you could make time for me." Chancellor Armstrong was as welcoming as always. She was the first African American woman to become Chancellor and had a commanding presence—tall, poised, with an air of authority that didn't need to be stated. Her office reflected that too: elegant but not ostentatious, filled with books and awards that spoke to a lifetime of hard-earned respect. She gestured to the chair in front of her desk. "Have a seat."

"Thank you, Chancellor," I replied, sitting and smoothing my skirt, trying to maintain my composure.

"I received your resignation letter," she began, not wasting any time. "I have to say, Amara, I'm disappointed. You've been an invaluable part of this institution, and it's hard to imagine the School of Communication without you."

I swallowed, feeling a pang of guilt. "I appreciate that, Chancellor. It wasn't an easy decision, but I think it's the right one for me."

Chancellor Armstrong nodded thoughtfully. "I understand the need for a fresh start, Amara. But I also know you're someone who's deeply committed to the work you do. Which is why I wanted to talk to you before you made any final decisions."

I frowned, curiosity piqued despite my resolve. "Okay."

"There's a project I'd like you to consider." She leaned slightly forward, her expression serious. "It's an important one and not just for the university, but for women across the state. The South Carolina Women's Health Advocacy Network has approached us to help them develop and improve educational programs focused on women's health and nutrition, particularly in marginalized communities. The goal is to address disparities in maternal mortality rates and ensure that women in these communities have access to the information and resources they need for healthier pregnancies and better overall health outcomes."

My heart skipped a beat, excitement sparking to life despite my attempts to keep it tamped down. This was precisely the kind of work I'd always dreamed of doing—using my expertise to make a difference in people's lives.

"That sounds incredible, Chancellor. But I'm not sure I'm the right person for it. I'm leaving."

I was going to head out right after the semester ended so I could spend Christmas and New Year's Eve with my father and then stay with him while I figured out what the hell to do with my life.

Chancellor Armstrong smiled, her eyes lit with excitement. "I know that NYU is searching, under the radar, mind you, for someone with your qualifications. I think a project like this would make you more attractive to them."

I sat up. NYU? They had a world-class health communications lab.

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