I sit, taking a breath. “I know I’ve only been here a short time, and I’m grateful to be part of this team. This job has grounded me in a way I didn’t know I needed.”
Erin tilts her head slightly. “But?”
“There’s someone I love,” I say quietly. “Someone I lost under messy circumstances. And now he’s on a farewell tour. And if I don’t go, if I don’t try, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.”
She watches me, unreadable.
“I’m not asking for forever,” I add quickly. “Just two weeks off. Unpaid if necessary. I’ll work late when I’m back, take on extra assignments—whatever it takes.”
Erin leans back in her chair, fingers tapping against her coffee mug.
“You know,” she says slowly, “when I was your age, I let someone slip away because I didn’t speak up. I buried myself in work and told myself that was enough.” She gives me a small smile. “It wasn’t.”
I blink.
“Two weeks,” she says. “No need to make up hours, and it won’t come out of your vacation days. You’re doing something brave.”
My heart stutters. “Really?”
“Go find him, Charlotte. If he’s worth this much to you, then he’s worth the risk.”
“Thank you. Seriously.” My voice cracks. “Thank you.”
Erin grins. “You’d better send pictures from the road. And bring me back a souvenir. I’m a big fan of Sam Stone.”
I blink. “You know who he is?”
“Honey, anyone who’s a fan of country music knows who he is. Now, go get your man.”
I finish up my work for the day and head home.
My suitcase lies open on my bed, half-packed with denim, flannel, and the soft pink dress Tish swore would “melt a cowboy's spine.” I fold it carefully, pressing it between jeans and a denim jacket, then sit back and stare at the pile of clothes like they hold the answers I still don’t have.
My hands rest on my stomach that’s still flat, but full of promise.
This baby.
This love.
This impossible second chance.
Tish peeks into the room. “You okay?”
I nod, even though I’m not entirely sure. “I don’t think I’ve ever wanted something this badly.”
She walks in, sitting beside me, her voice soft. “It’s okay to be scared, Charlotte.”
“I’m terrified,” I admit, the words tumbling out like I’ve been holding them too long. “What if he doesn’t want me anymore? What if he hates me for leaving? What if… what if he’s moved on?”
Tish places her hand over mine. “What if he’s still writing you love songs in the dark?”
That makes me laugh. It also makes me cry.
“I left that ranch thinking I was doing the right thing. That I had no choice. But it’s been months, and I haven’t breathed right since.” I swipe a tear from my cheek. “I just want him to look at me the way he used to. Like I was his whole damn world.”
Tish pulls me into a hug. “Then go remind him you still are.”
We finish packing together as if we’re folding hope into every corner. She makes sure I have my new ID, my ticketprintouts, and snacks for the flight because “pregnancy cravings don’t mess around.”
