Page 59 of The Hometown Dilemma
He sniffed, composing himself. “But I also know that you’re an independent woman who can make her own decisions and despite my best intentions, I can’t tell you what to do. I can’t tell you to stay for me.”
Gulping in air, I tried to speak, but nothing came out.
Wade continued. “I mean, these past months have been everything.You’vebeen everything. When I thought everything with the business was about to go to hell, you were there helping me bring it back to life. And selfishly, I would love to have you by my side as I build it up again. But you’re one hell of a good designer and it would be a travesty to see all that talent go to waste.”
I frowned and wiped away the tears. “When have you ever seen my work?”
He raised a small smile. “I haven’t, but Austen raved about everything you did for Moira Channing. And he’s pretty hard to impress, so…”
If it hadn’t been for Austen’s lies, Wade and I probably wouldn’t have gotten together. I’d have done the project for Moira and then picked up the client base I wanted. Then I wouldn’t have been in the bar the night of the storm and we wouldn’t be here now.
Wade shook his head. “I do wish I could tell you to stay.”
My heart contracted. “Then say it.”
“I can’t. It wouldn’t be fair. I wouldn’t want you to resent me for making you do something you didn’t want to do.”
We had hit a stalemate. He wanted me to stay but wouldn’t commit to the words.
“But if I did go, could we still make things work?” I had to hold on to some shred of hope that there was a chance for us.
“That’s almost an unfair question for me.” The corner of his mouth turned up, his eyes glinting. “Because I don’t know if that’s what you’ll decide.”
My brain was starting to get dizzy from the circles we were going around in. I pressed a hand to my temple, which was beginning to throb from the tension and emotion of the situation.
Before I could say anything else, Wade moved from the armchair and dropped to his knees in front of me. Placing his palms on either side of my face, he forced me to look at him.
“Whatever happens next, I’m glad you came into my life when you did. You’re a talented, intelligent, gorgeous woman and I’m proud to have been able to call you my girlfriend. I love you, Jaime Harlow.”
An ugly sob escaped from my lips. Why was he telling me this now? Why couldn’t he have told me in New York instead of telling me I was a fake?
Wade leaned forward and met my lips with his. I could taste the salt from my tears in our kiss. A kiss that could be our last. I closed my eyes, wanting to savor this moment as long as I could. He pulled back and I sensed him get up to leave. I couldn’t bear to watch him go and threw an arm up over my face.
“You have to make this decision on your own, Jaime. Let me know as soon as you do.”
I heard the door slam shut as he left, my heart shattering into tiny shards.
What a decision to have to make.
Epilogue
Jaime
Three months later
“Jaime,I can’t thank you enough for doing this work. The moment I saw your designs, I knew they were right for my house.”
I beamed at my client, basking in the pleasure her words gave me. The past five weeks had been difficult, and it had been touch and go at times whether I was going to meet her deadline. “Thanks, Moira. I’ve enjoyed working on your project and thank you for giving me the opportunity to be my first real client.”
“I can’t deny that when Sylvie told me of your plans, I was more than happy to work with you.” Moira Channing reached out and grasped my hand. “Much happier than with that slimy Austen character. I swear he was more interested in making his commission than making a client happy. I love what you’ve done with the place and now I have no desire to move any time soon!”
Reaching into my pocket, I drew out one of my recently printed HIDE business cards and pressed it into Moira’s hand. “Please do make sure to tell your friends and if I can be of any assistance to them in future, I’d be glad to help.”
“Of course, darling.” She air-kissed me on both cheeks, making me giggle inwardly, and made me think of Wade. “Send my love to your mother and ask her when she’s coming home for a visit.”
“Absolutely.” I forced a smile. Cami and I weren’t ready for another visit from Hurricane Sylvie yet, we were still recovering from the last one.
Waving goodbye to Moira and her house in Ridge Heights, I set off for home. If I timed everything right, I’d have enough time for a shower before heading over to Dempsey’s for the grand reopening of the bar.
