Page 4 of Dash to Me
Ryan will be too busy. I need to talk to someone about this. My fingers hover over the screen, my thumb tapping as I compose and erase a message to Eva.
Me: Meet me at the coffee shop. Need to talk.
Before I even leave in the garage, she replies.
Eva: On my way.
I put the phone back in my pocket and head over. Eva isn’t the little girl I remember. She’s my best friend’s little sister. Time has been good to her. But it’s still off-limits. No matter how much I’ve always had a crush on her. I am not crossing that line.
The bell above the door chimes as I push into the coffee shop. My gaze sweeps across the cozy interior, landing on Eva sitting by the window. She has taken the seat facing the entrance, her posture straight yet relaxed, an open book face down on the table beside her untouched latte.
Our eyes meet and the tightness in my chest loosens. There is comfort in Eva’s presence, in the steady calm she exudes, even as a ripple of nervous energy passes. I approach, noting how her hands clasp each other, betraying a hint of her own uncertainty. It is a subtle sign, but one I can read easily after years of friendship; Eva is always poised, except when something matters deeply.
“Hey.”
“Hi, Atlas,” Eva responds, offering a smile that doesn’t quite reach her hazel eyes, eyes that are always too perceptive for my liking. They search my face now, likely picking up on the disarray of my thoughts.
I slide into the chair opposite her, the leather creaking under my frame. “Thanks for coming on such short notice.”
“Of course. What’s going on?”
My hands still. “My dad is retiring.”
“Retiring?” Eva echoes, a crease forming between her brows.
“Yeah, and that’s not even the half of it.” I pause, swallowing the knot in my throat. “He wants me to take over the family business.”
I watch as her expression shifts from surprise to contemplation. Her fingers, which have been curled around her coffee mug, relax.
“Wow, Atlas, that’s... that’s huge.” She leans in. “How do you feel about it?”
“Torn,” I admit. “I mean, it’s an honor, right? But it’s also a lot of pressure. And?—”
“And what?”
“And I’m just not sure if it’s the path I want my life to go down.”
She nods, processing my words. “That makes sense. You have to choose what’s right for you. But you know, whatever you decide,” she reaches across the table, her hand hovering over mine, “you won’t be alone. I’ll be here, cheering you on. And so will my brother.”
I shift in my seat. “Taking over the business... it’s not just about the work, you know? It’s about what comes with it. This town has its eyes on me, sure, but...” I pause, wetting my dry lips with a quick flick of my tongue.
Eva reaches across the table again, her fingertips brushing against the back of my hand. “You’re worrying about maybes and what-ifs. You’ve always been there for your friends, for me. Taking on your father’s role won’t change that—not the core of who you are. And as for us,” she squeezes my hand, a lifeline thrown into my sea of doubts, “we’ll all be fine.”
Becoming the head of Lockwood Enterprises is a pro that comes with its own set of cons—expectations, time commitments, the potential for failure. It is a legacy passed down, an honor, and yet I can’t shake the feeling of being trapped in a destiny not entirely of my choosing.
“Taking over means security,” I continue, voice steady but my hands betraying a slight tremor. “It’s what my father worked his whole life for.” Then a pause. “But I worry... about missing out on the little moments that make a life.”
“Think about where your passion lies, Atlas. The family business is a big part of who you are, but so is your love for this town, for the people in it.” She gives a small, encouraging smile. “You’re not just making a decision for yourself, but for the future you want to create.”
As her words washed over me, my internal struggle begins to ebb. It isn’t a clear resolution, not yet, but for the first time since my father’s call, the path forward seems a little less daunting. Eva’s belief in me lends me strength.
“Let’s go for a walk,” I suggest, standing up.
A walk will help clear my head. I am heir to a legacy, and I’ve always known that. Just didn’t expect it to happen this fast.
Am I ready to take over a million dollar company?
EVA
