Page 85 of Barbed Wire Fences
Would Rhett understand? He has to. We could make long distance work. I’m almost sure he hinted at wanting that last night. It’ll be hard, yes, but possible if we both want it enough. And I want it. I want it so badly.
“I’m desperate here, Jael,” she says softly. “I wouldn’t be calling you back early if I had any other option.”
I nod to no one, already feeling the decision tighten around me as I pull the zipper up the back of my dress. “Okay. I’ll be there. When do you need me?”
“Tomorrow.”
I freeze. “But that means I need to leave tonight.”
She chuckles, a little rueful. “I know. Did I mention we’d pay you a ridiculous amount?”
I sigh, dragging my fingers through my hair, knowing deep down I can’t say no. After my week ends here, and my contract is up, where would I go anyway? I have no backup plan. Doctor Walker made it clear from the start of my contract there aren’t any open positions in Whitewood Creek that pay what I’m making now. And the ICU isn’t even fully operational yet. When it is, I have the skills for it, but until then, I’m stuck between wanting Rhett and needing my job. There’s still so much or us to figure out. Whatever this is between us still feels new. I can’t give everything I’ve worked for up on a chance that I’m not sure he wants to take yet.
“Okay, I’ll be there.”
A few minutes later I’m half-way across town, frantically looking for Rhett before I have to hit the road.
“Hey babe, what are you doing here?” Lainey asks me as she opens the door to her home, allowing me to come inside.
“Have you seen Rhett? I stopped by his office, but he wasn't there. Florence said he was with Lark.”
“They’re over in Meadowbrook together. Meeting with the mayor to talk about the new expansion that they’re working on for Whitewood Creek Plumbing.”
Shit.
“I, um, kind of need to talk to him.”Like really need to.
She turns her head to the side, studying me closely. “Oh Jael, you’re not thinking of leaving without saying goodbye, are you?” There’s panic in her voice the same way I’m feeling it deep within my heart.
“No, I don’t want to do that.”
She nods. “I thought you had another week left on your contract?”
“I do, but I have to leave early now.” I let out a sigh and run my fingers through my hair. “My ex-fiancé, Christopher, showed up unexpectedly last night. He asked me to come back to Richmond with him. He talked to my manager, and she really needs the support. End of summer traumas. They said they’ll pay me double my hourly rate for the rest of the summer if I leave now and pay out for the week I haven’t worked here.”
“But is that what you want?”
“No, I don't,” I admit, the truth ringing hollow in my ears. “But I have no backup plan. My contract here ends next week and Idon’t have anything else lined up. Rhett and I never talked about this being anything more than a fling while I was here for work. He told me he wants me, but what does that mean? Does he want to date me? Do we have a future here?”
She listens and nods. “And what about your ex?”
I shake my head. “I told him we will never be getting back together. I made that extremely clear. Christopher and I had been engaged, made plans for a future together but when he ended our engagement abruptly, it broke my heart..." My voice trails off as I sink onto the couch, burying my face in my hands. “Is it possible that I’m rushing into another relationship with Rhett in retaliation over the way that Christopher made me feel so fucking… small.”
She sinks down onto the couch next to me, draping an arm over my shoulder.
“I don’t think that’s the same. You and Rhett have history together.”
That we do.
“So, you’re not going back to Virginia for Christopher then?”
“Absolutely not. I wouldn’t be leaving to go back with him. I’d be leaving for my career and…” I trail off, trying to understand what I’ve been feeling. “I guess to protect my heart. Being with Rhett, I've realized my relationship with Christopher had never been so passionate. So, consuming. When I'm with Rhett, it feels like something has always been unfinished between us. And maybe that’s what this month has been about. Getting closure for what we lost and what we left behind? Maybe it was never meant to be more."
“Is that really what you think?” she asks cautiously.
I shake my head again and blow out a deep breath. “No. I don’t at all. I think Rhett’s my one true love. I want so much more with him. Lainey, I want it all. But I don’t think I’m deserving of it.”
My head spins while I feel the frustration burning inside of me.
