Page 48 of The Last Key
“Then you have to do it.”
“But Devon, what about…” I look around the parking lot and up at the inn. “All of this? Me staying the summer? Us?”
He leans in and softly kisses my lips. “The inn will always be here, and as fun as a summer here together sounds, you can’t pass up a good career move.”
“And us?”
“Babe, you have nothing to worry about with us. We’ll figure it out. I’m never letting you go.”
I nod slowly. “Okay. I’ll go. But I’m not sure if it’s… the right move.”
“We can figure that out after, but it won’t even be an option if you don’t go.”
“Yeah.”
I unmute my phone and put it back against my ear.
“What’s the latest you have on Wednesday?”
“I can do as late as 4:45. Does that work?”
“Put me down. I’ll be there.”
“Sure thing. I hope you’ll consider this. It’ll be a big step for you on your career path. You deserve this.”
“Thanks,” I say, stomach twisting.
“Of course. Take care, Kennedy. See you soon.”
“Yes. Thanks. Take care. Bye.”
The line disconnects, and I slowly lower my phone from my ear and turn to look at Devon.
“Hey, you okay? Because you don’t look it. You just got an incredible job opportunity.”
“I know, but…”I’m enjoying my time here.“It happened sooner than I was expecting. Hell, I wasn’t expecting it at all.”
I should be excited. This is my dream job. He’s supporting me. But there’s this nagging in my stomach, and I kind of want to cry.
He leans in and kisses me, and I finally relax. “I’m proud of you. You should be proud, too. You’ve worked hard for this.”
“I have. And I am. It’s just… after being fired or laid off, whatever, all those hours I put in, all the effort, it started to feel like a waste. In some ways, it still does. This used to be exactly what I wanted. And it is… tantalizing, but I don’t feel excited about it like I thought I would.”
“Let it sink in. It’s okay if you’re not sure yet, but don’t let a great option pass you by, either.”
“Are you sure you’re okay with it?”
“I never want to hold you back from following your dreams.”
That wasn’t what I asked. And I’m not sure this is my dream anymore.
“Okay.”
He scrunches his nose. “Hey, I told you we’d figure this all out together, and I mean it. Now, you are way too grumpy and sad. You just got an awesome job opportunity. And we are finally a couple.” He kisses my cheek, then my lips. “Or did I not prove that enough this weekend?”
“You did some good proving,” I chuckle.
“Then show me your excited face.”
