Page 127 of Men or Paws
“What?” Rocco said. “No! I’m not scared.”
“Are you sure?” I said. “It’s the exact same pattern you always fall into. You did it with Scarlett, Kate, and Natalie, and now you’re doing it with me. You get into a relationship, things start getting good, and then you bolt like a colt.”
I knew he hadn’t promised me anything. Adults have flings, they hookup, and that doesn’t mean spending the rest of their lives together.
The problem was I wanted more than that.
Just like Julia Roberts inPretty Woman, I wanted my happily ever after.
Maybe I was stupid to think that Rocco loved me.
“That’s not fair,” Rocco said. “Yes, I have done that in the past, but this time it’s different. These were different circumstances.”
“Okay, let’s assume that they were,” I said. “Then where does that leave us exactly?”
“Honestly, I don’t know,” he said, pacing in front of his desk. He stopped and turned to me. “Hey, why can’t we have the best of both worlds? Come with me to Italy.”
I jerked my head back. “What? You can’t be serious.”
“I am!” he said. “It will be amazing! Imagine a two-year vacation in Italy. We’ll be together in one of the most romantic countries in the world. You’d be crazy to turn that down.”
“You would be working the entire time, which means I would be there by myself. How romantic is that? And I have no intention of putting my life on hold for two years. I’m getting ready to start a new business, something I’m very passionate about. You’re asking me to choose between my dreams and you.”
Rocco thought about it. “Aren’t you asking me to do the very same thing?”
It was true and I had no right to do that.
We stared at each other for a long moment.
Another stalemate.
Neither one of us was going to budge.
We were silent for what felt like an eternity.
Rocco finally slid a chair next to mine and sat. “Beth . . .”
I didn’t respond.
Honestly, what could I say at this point?
He had already made his choice.
The only thing I could do was accept it and leave with my head held high.
“Tell me what you want to do, Beth,” Rocco said.
I was filled with sadness, but there was no way I could continue to see him every day, knowing that he was going to leave soon.
Standing tall, I looked him in the eyes. “I think it’s best that I go ahead and pack up my things and get out of your hair. I’ll give the keys to Gwen on my way out.”
Rocco looked at me like I was crazy.
Maybe I was, but I had promised myself I would always live life on my own terms.
I turned to go, but then stopped at the door, turning back to face him. “Good luck, Rocco. I hope you get everything you want out of life. I truly mean that.”
Then I turned and walked away.
