Page 95 of My Promise To Keep

‘Talk to me, honey.’

‘I have a life there, Grandma. I have my bar and my house — my whole family is there.’

‘Try again.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Zoe, you’re not convincing me.’

‘I have the life I dreamed of, almost. The only thing missing is a husband and kids. I have my dream job, my dream house. Everything I ever wanted is there.’

She inhales deeply, then stands.

‘Sweetheart, I love you, so I’m going to give you another shot at that one. Sleep on it, Zo Zo. I’m going to bed.’

Rendering me speechless, she leans in to kiss me, then heads into the house, leaving me alone on her porch with only the stars for company. She’s eccentric, my Grandma Dee, but she’s wise — most of the time. Right now, she’s just confusing.

I stand by it. I have what I dreamed of. Not all the pieces, but I always knew Leo wouldn’t be that. I ignored it because of my feelings for him, but I can’t just let everything I’ve worked for slip away.

Right?

Emotion tightens my throat as I remember the look on his face as I told him no, told him I was leaving. I never thought I could break somebody’s heart, but I saw it happen right in front of me.

‘Oh god.’ I gasp and reach my hands up to cover my face as I cry hard. It’s over, and it hurts so much.

Leo

Me:Munch, please call me.

Me:Baby, please don’t give up on us!

Me:I’m not going. I will close the shop and move back to Forest Falls if it means I keep you x

My finger hovers over the send button of that last one before I delete it. I can’t give up everything I worked my ass off to get. California, I can give up. Lion Ink, I can’t.

Me:Can we talk, please? If there’s really nothing I can do or say to keep you, I’ll walk away, but I’llstay, Zo. If you can’t leave South Carolina, I won’t leave either. You’re everything to me.

I take a breath, trying to get through the urge to throw my cell at the wall when it vibrates in my hand.

Munch:I love you, Leo. I love you, and I’m proud of you, but face the facts. We were never going to be forever. Go to California. Show the world who Leo Bennett is. I’ll be watching.

She’s done. Just like that, she’s over it.

This time, no amount of breathing can save my phone as it hits the wall with a satisfying crash.

I Stopped

Zoe

‘Good morning, sweet girl.’

Grandma smiles at me from her position at the table, a stack of pancakes and a plate of fruit in the middle, ready for breakfast. I don’t feel like eating, but I know she won’t give me a choice.

‘Well, I told you to sleep on it, and you have, twice, so, have you figured it out yet?’

‘Grandma, what do you want me to say that I haven’t said already?’

She huffs, frustrated, and stands, then walks out of the room, and I grab a pancake from the stack.

---