She massaged her temples. “I don’t know.”
“A good portion of designs are done digitally these days, so I’m sure you’ll be able to work something out,” Dana said.
“True.” Natasha wanted this job, but she wanted Antonio, too. She just hoped she wouldn’t have to choose.
It was all over town about Natasha’s interior design offer. Before Antonio made it to his office Wednesday morning, he’d gotten texts from his brother and godfather and a call from his mother. He and Natasha had been playing telephone tag for the past two days. He’d had another long day at the job site yesterday and had driven to the Bay Area for some supplies rather than wait two days for them to be delivered. The unplanned trip meant that he’d been unable to meet her. Then she was out of the office when he called later. He’d talked with Ced and Zo again last night and wished he had called Natasha afterward, despite the late hour.
He couldn’t be happier for her, but one piece of the news gave him pause. If the “rumors” were correct, it meant that she’d have to move to Los Angeles for who knew how long. Where did that leave them? And once she finished that one and was presented with another opportunity, would she take it and decide to stay in Southern California for good? Growing up, that had been all she talked about—becoming a designer to the stars.
Staring out his office window, Antonio had no idea what to do. He couldn’t deny her this chance, but for him, it felt like déjà vu all over again, like with his marriage. They had to talk, and soon. He sent her a message, asking if she had a few minutes this morning. She replied almost immediately with one word:Yes!
After signing the documents Leah left for him, he took the folder to her desk. “Here’s everything. I’m going to walk over to see Natasha for a few minutes.”
“Okay.” Leah leaned forward and gave him a bright smile. “Isn’t her newsfabulous?”
“It is. Be back in a little while.” As he meandered up the block, two more people stopped him to talk about Natasha’s great opportunity and how she’s making her hometown proud. By the time he made it to her office, he had resigned himself to the fact that he was going to lose her again. His steps were heavy as he approached her door.
“Come on in,” Natasha said when he knocked. She rounded the desk, met him halfway, and slid her arms around his neck. “You’re a hard man to catch these days.”
“I’m not the only one.” Antonio held her for the longest time, not wanting to let go for fear it might be the last time.
“I am so sorry I didn’t have a chance to talk to you before all this blew up. I made the mistake of calling my mother and forgot to tell her to keep it to herself. The next thing I knew, it had spread like wildfire.”
He released her and propped a hip against her desk. “I’m proud of you, baby.”
“Thank you. It still doesn’t feel real.” She told him about the call and that she’d be going to LA tomorrow.
“How long will you be gone?”
“Just overnight.”
“For now. They’re going to need you to be there for the next several months, I imagine.”
“She mentioned that, but I’m not sure I want to be gone for so long. Ican’tbe away from you all that time.”
Antonio reached for her hand and pulled her back into his arms. “Sweetheart, you can’t pass up this opportunity. You have to follow your dream. I don’t want you to look back years from now with regrets.” He struggled to get the words out, and each one felt like a dagger to his heart. “It would…” He paused, trying to keep his emotions under control. “It would kill me if you woke up one day and resented not taking this chance.” If she resentedhimfor staying.
She searched his face and gripped the front of his shirt. “What are you saying, Tonio?”
The hardest thing he’d ever have to say. He placed a lingering kiss on her lips. “I’m saying you have to go.” Her phone rang.
“Hang on a minute. Let me tell whoever it is I’ll call back.” Natasha checked the display. “It’s Mr. Yarbrough’s office. I have to take this.”
Antonio kissed her again. “I love you. Go follow your dreams, baby.”
“Antonio, wait.” She grabbed his hand.
“You’d better get that.” Letting her go was even more difficult this time around. With a bittersweet smile, he brought her hand to his lips, then walked out, his heart breaking all over again because he didn’t know how they’d make it work if she had to move.
CHAPTER 30
Natasha walked through the small one-story apartment complex on Friday morning and thought the layout was genius. Not only was it located within walking distance of the company, but each room had a terrace that overlooked lush gardens. Each one-bedroom unit had a kitchenette with a stove, microwave, and refrigerator. The rest of the place lay bare like a blank canvas waiting for an artist’s splash of color. Excitement raced through her veins, and she couldn’t wait to get started.
“Do you have any questions, Ms. Baldwin?” the efficient Ms. Webb asked.
“No. I think they’ve all been answered, but I’ll let you know if I think of something else.”
“Please do. We’ll head back so you can fill out some paperwork before your flight this afternoon.”
