I take the seat across from her.She sips her coffee, eyes closing in appreciation.
“How’s your week been?”I ask.
She shrugs, lowering the cup to the table.“Same old.Still covering trivial news.Luna’s been out of town, so I haven’t gotten any updates on the promotion.”
I nod, my grip tightening around my cup.“That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about.”
She watches me carefully.“What about it?”
This is it.The moment I’ve been dreading.My stomach churns because I know what I’m about to tell her could change everything between us.I hesitate.“Do you think she’s already picked someone?”
Her expression falters.“I don’t know.It’s possible.But I’ve known Luna a long time, so she would’ve told me right away.”
I nod, my thumb rubbing over her knuckles.“And if they pick someone else?Would you leave?Look for a new job somewhere else?”
“Why?Do you want me to leave?”
“No,” I say quickly.“God, no.I just… I don’t want you stuck in a job you hate.You’re young, smart, and you could do so much more.I…” I let out a breath.“I don’t want you to give up on something better and settle.”
She presses her lips together, thinking.Then she sighs, long and slow.“I know,” she murmurs.“I know, but I…” She stops.And I wait.Her shoulders rise and fall as she gathers her thoughts.“Can’t leave my mom,” she says finally, her voice quieter now.“I can’t leave my family.”
I nod, watching the way her other hand fidgets with the hem of her cardigan.Her loyalty to her family is something I admire, even if it complicates things.She’s not running away from responsibility; she’s choosing it.That takes strength.
“It’s not just about what I do for Mom.”She continues.“The specialist says once she’s healthy, she’ll be back to normal.And I believe that.I do.”Hesitating, she bites her lip.“But it’s more than that.I don’t want to miss them growing up.I want to be here.I want to see it all.”
A heavy knot forms in my throat.I get that.More than she probably realizes.
“I had a lot of fun hanging out with Hazel,” I admit, shifting to face her better.“I told her that it felt like I was borrowing a little sister.”
She laughs, and it eases something in my chest.
“Oh yeah, I heard about that,” she says, eyes twinkling.“She also mentioned the flowers were for me.”
Her gaze glances down to the table, where my fingers trace patterns on the back of her hand.
My heart beats loud in my ears, caught between embarrassment and satisfaction.
“Obviously, I couldn’t tell Leila that it was for you,” I add.“So I told her I needed a big enough bunch for the whole family.”
She laughs again, shaking her head.“Hazel didn’t buy it.”
I pause, watching her expression closely.“Do you think she’ll tell anyone?”
She shakes her head immediately.“No way.She knows how much this promotion means to me.I trust her.”
A warmth spreads through me at her certainty.“I trust her too.Even spending just a little time with her, I’ve never met a sixteen-year-old like her.”
She shifts, pulling her knees up and resting her chin on them.“She’s a good kid.”
“Your family is amazing, you know?”
She grins.“Amazingly chaotic.”
I chuckle.
She studies me like she’s seeing something new.“You fit into this town, Adrian.We’re lucky to have you.”
My chest tightens.It’s one thing to feel like I have a place in this town, but hearing her say it?That hits differently.
