Page 59 of And They Had a Great Fall

“No, no,” Kat said. “I did take a leave of absence right after, but taking that break made me realize I just wanted to stop—stop being in a job that was so all-consuming. God, that job ran my life. I wanted more flexibility to be with Becca. My time with her is short. This moment, when I’m the absolute center of her world, will be gone sooner than I want. In a blink, she’ll be off living her own life and I didn’t want her entire childhood to be with a mom that looked at her as a task to be completed.”

Jake looked at her with a smile. “So what are you doing?”

“I found what I love. I love helping a business grow. I’m consulting with tech start-ups who need a solid business plan andfinancial projections but aren’t ready for a full-time finance officer.” She was proud of the financial stability she was able to create without the umbrella of an oppressive corporation. “Also, I balance the books for Ben’s old precinct, in exchange for putting Becca and me on their health plan. It helps to keep a foot in that world, for her. I need to allow those who loved him to love her. It gives her a sense of her dad, and as she gets older, that’s become even more important.”

Jake took a breath. “I’m coming back home … at least to New York,” he started, “and not just for a visit, but for the next six months. At least.”

She raised her eyebrows. It was a surprising move. He’d often expounded that he didn’t want to build his career in the US, as it centered around Los Angeles—a city he hated.

“Yeah, I even got my own place finally. I move in next week, but as you can imagine, there’s not much to move,” he chuckled. “My next project isJoe Island,a play by Tania Wells. It’s a four-month run minimum and two months of rehearsal.”

Kat was even more surprised to hear that his next project was live theater. It was an interesting sidestep for someone who had their pick of films.

He let out a sigh. “It just felt right. This past year, past eighteen months, haven’t been easy. I got lost in this chase of fame.” He took off his cap and ran his fingers through his hair. “I was so focused on it, I blew up the best thing in my life.” He blew out a breath. “Kat, I called you and asked you to fix me, to clean up the mess I was making of my life, and then I shattered us, too. It will be the biggest regret of my life.” Jake quickly wiped a tear from his eyes.

Kat reached over and placed her hand in his. She didn’t say anything, but physically connected to him as a sign of understanding and forgiveness. He smiled at her tentatively. His thumb lightly caressed the back of her hand.

“Jake. We were both trying to fix each other. That’s not a way to build a relationship.” She was dangerously close to tears herself. She desperately wanted to focus on something other than their dramatic implosion. Taking a breath to beat back the tears, she said, “Talk to me. Are you excited to do theater again? Be back in New York?”

Jake’s face brightened. “I really believe I need to be back in the theater, really hone my craft, get out of the rat race of movie productions. I’ll figure it out after that. I told Roger no back-to-back projects. I’m playing the long game with my career.”

Kat shot him a smile. She was taking in this new Jake, centered and focused. She looked away to gain sight of Becca. She spotted her on a swing, talking to another girl who looked to be her age.

Kat reached her hand up and waved at Becca for a few seconds and returned it to take Jake’s hand once again. “I want to be angry about what happened, but I’m not.” Her voice softened. “You called me, I came to you, and it changed my life.”

Jake lifted her hand up to his lips and gave it a soft kiss. “You stole my line.” He shot her a smile and just like that, she was transported back to a small apartment on the Nyhavn canal. Her mind lingered and indulged in the memories.

Kat felt the buzz of her watch bring her back to the present. She stood up and waved Becca over. “It’s getting late, and we have theater tickets to seeSixtonight.”

“You’ll love it,” said Jake. Becca ran over and Jake threw her the soccer ball. “Hey, do you have room for this? It’s for you.”

Becca nodded and thanked him. Kat suddenly didn’t know what to do with her hands. Jake took over when he high-fived Becca and then gave Kat a half hug and a sweet, quick kiss on the cheek.

“Bye, Jake,” she said, and turned to walk away hand in hand with her favorite girl.

“Hey!” she heard him yell. She and Becca turned around to face him.

“When I’m back in New York, can I ask you out?” He was standing there, looking so earnest with a full smile. Kat saw a man who knew what he wanted, no longer an unsure human, searching for anything to escape himself.

Given all that they had experienced together, it was a ridiculous question, but a perfect question all at once.

It took all her resolve not to run back to him, feel his arms around her, and exist once again in his orbit. But she would play the long game too. They needed time to really know each other if there was a future for them. She knew that it wouldn’t be simple—nothing ever was—and she couldn’t predict what future they could find together. Exploring a future with Jake was a risk she was wanted to take.

“It’s a date. Text me when you’re back,” she said, shooting him a big smile. “We’ll figure it out.”

epilogue

FOURYEARSLATER

Kat sat in her seat and could barely breathe. It might have been the SPANX she was wearing, but most likely, it was just her own nerves. Jake, on the other hand, seemed remarkably calm.

The lights went up for a moment. It was a commercial break. The crowd chatter rose a few decibels as this group of actors, on the night of their largest award show of the year, was never one to stay quiet.

She reached over and laced her fingers with his. “You ready? Your category is up next,” she said, squeezing his hand.

“Yes,” he said. “I’m just happy to be nominated … I’m just happy to be nominated.” He repeated the mantra under his breath, gave her a wink, and laughed.

Kat smiled at his attempt to convince himself that he’d be happy either way. She knew he would be, but it was still okay to want to win. He was no stranger to this moment. It had been nearly three years since they’d been here, at this very same awards show, when Jake was nominated for the first time forZero Code.

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