Page 66 of Worth the Wait

“I figured as much. I know I gave you the idea, not the vision. So, what did you create?”

“I built what looks like a working barn from the outside. But once you step through the sliding doors, it’s all rich woods and exposed beams. The back faces the mountains, so when you slide the doors open, you have a perfect view. There’s a permanent tent built outside for all weather, but one entire wall is windows because…”

“The view,” she cut me off with a grin.

“Exactly. There’re two kitchens for catering and multiple rooms for wedding parties to get ready in. It turned out really nice.”

“That sounds perfect. If it’s anything like this place, then I bet it’s stunning.”

It was a compliment that I’d gladly take, but I still huffed out a laugh.

“Nah. This place was personal. The barn was a distraction.”

“From what?” Her eyes narrowed for only a second before she read my mind and knew what was coming.

“From you being gone.” I still said the words out loud, knowing that they’d have impact. “Don’t go back,” I finally said.

“Patrick.” Her voice was a plea.

“I want you to stay. Why can’t you just fucking stay?”

She angled her body to get more comfortable, I assumed. “I wish it were that easy,” she started to explain, but I cut her right off.

“It is actually. It’s exactly that easy. You go back there, pack up your shit, and move in here with me.”

A smile crept across her lips, and I reached out, running my thumb across her bottom lip. I couldn’t help myself when it came to her. I would always crave her.

“Tell me why it’s not so easy then. Help me understand why you won’t come home.”

She closed her eyes before opening them to focus on me. “You have to know that I never planned on staying gone so long, but things just kept happening for me there, and before I knew it, years had gone by in a flash.”

“I understand that,” I said because I did. Even if it hurt like hell, it made sense. Time stopped and waited for no one, and sometimes, it took from you as well. It stole your hope, your happiness, your peace of mind.

“Patrick, someone offered to back a restaurant for me. I got the offer right before Christmas.”

I had no idea what the hell that even meant. Over the years, I’d picked up on certain cooking terms, but this wasn’t one of them.

“What does that mean?”

“It means that they’d pay for me to open up my own place. In a really trendy and popular area of Manhattan. It’s a huge opportunity.” Everything she said was supposed to sound positive, but her tone and her expression didn’t match the words coming out of her mouth.

“Is that what you want? To open a restaurant there?” I asked, but she didn’t answer.

I knew better than to push her too hard before she was ready. Addi could shut down in an attempt to formulate her words properly.

“You could open a place here, you know? I’d back you if that’s what you need.”

“I don’t want your money, Patrick,” she breathed out.

I felt myself get annoyed because we’d been having this same stupid argument since we had been kids. I always thought we’d get married someday and be partners in every way. My money was her money. Whatever I had belonged to her as well, but she always pushed back on that. Said she felt like I was giving her a handout, but I’d never, not once, perceived it that way.

“But you’ll let someone else give you theirs? That makes no sense, Addi.” I hated that I was picking a fight with her again, but this shit was too important to just let it go. “Do you even like it there? ’Cause from where I’m sitting, it doesn’t sound like you do.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Her tone turned defensive.

“You’re saying all the right things, but your tone doesn’t match. Of course you should want the opportunity to open your own restaurant, but do you? And if so, do you really want that shit to happen in New York, of all places?”

I was being kind of a dick. I knew at least that much. But I needed to know if I was going to lose her forever or not.

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