Page 103 of The Odds of Happily Ever After
“He travels for work often. And I guess I wasn’t sure you’d be okay with me bringing someone along, much less a guy.”
“I take a while to be comfortable with anyone new.” I drummed my fingers on my desk. “But you should bring him next time.”
Max barked out a laugh. “You got it. Why don’t you bring your woman, too? Make it a double date.”
My hand stilled. “I’m not sure that’s possible.”
“Is she married?”
“No.”
“Then what’s the issue?”
I considered telling him about Luna, but my eyes took in the walls of the room. The shelves and white boards that had long been familiar seemed to close in on me like bars in a cell. When I told Max—if I did—it wouldn’t be here. “We’re still working things out,” I said. “And my schedule is full now.”
“That reminds me, how’s the writing going?”
“Like shit.”
He gaped at me. “Well, that’s one way to describe it.”
“Pardon my French.”
“Trust me, I’ve said much worse.” His gaze narrowed on me. “Can I ask you something?”
“What?”
“Do you really want this degree?”
“Of course I do.” I said the words without thinking about them because that was what I was supposed to say—even if they didn’t ring true anymore.
“I asked because most of us who do this, it’s because we love to teach. We’re in it for the long run. Or maybe because we want to build our own business down the line. But you already have one—a successful one too. And I’m not saying you’re not good at teaching, but I get this feeling that you love your consultancy more.”
Everything he said was something I’d thought to myself before. Somehow, it hit differently coming from someone else.Perhaps it was because he was an unbiased third party. I’d wondered if my doubts and resistance were influenced by my feelings for Luna, but Max dissecting it as he had made it easier to zero in on the facts.
“This degree takes a lot from you,” he told me solemnly. “You need to be sure you want it bad enough. If all this shit—like you said—will be worth it in the end.”
In the past, I wouldn’t have hesitated. No sacrifice would have been too big to achieve my goals and gain the security I sought. But now, when I imagined the future, it wasn’t the big house or the dollar signs or the titles added to my name that I pictured.
It was having Luna by my side.
chapter thirty-three
luna
Kriz
Almost birthday girl!! You ready?
Luna
I thought you were picking me up at 10?? It’s only 8!
Kriz
I meant in general! Like are you ready to partyyy?
Chloe
