She cocks her head and studies me strangely. “Trevor, you’re going to say yes, aren’t you?”
“No, I’m not.”
“Home is wherever we choose to make it.” She leans away. “Youhaveto take the job. It’s everything you’ve ever dreamed of.”
I pull her back to me. “You’reeverything I’ve ever dreamed of. Our life is here. The coffee shop. Our friends.”
She shakes her head. “I’m not going to let you give up this opportunity. If you don’t take this job, one day you’ll be writing me another letter like the one I found tucked into your duffle bag. Only that one will say you aren’t happy because you haven’t been able to live up to your potential and follow the path in life you were meant to follow.” She takes my face into her cupped hands, fierce determination in her eyes. “Take the job. For me. For you. For us. Please.”
I tilt my head down and press my forehead to hers. This woman. I didn’t think I could love her more. I was wrong. Because she’s willing to give up everything so I can become the man I was meant to be. So we could live the life I’d always promised her.
Chapter Forty-Nine
Ava
It’s not easy preparing for a wedding, a baby, and an interstate move all at the same time. Fortunately, all won’t be happening at once. The wedding is next week. The baby is coming next month. And Grady Memorial graciously agreed to push off Trevor’s start date until four weeks after our little girl’s arrival.
We talked about which would be easier—moving when I’m eight and a half months pregnant, or moving with a newborn. Since they’re paying all relocation expenses, there’s not much for us to do other than get ourselves there. So it was really a wash between either option.
But waiting until after the baby arrives gives us more time to sell the shop. More time with his parents. More time with friends. More time in the only place I’ve ever lived.
Maddie’s grandmother walks into the coffee house, shaking her head at the For Sale sign in the window. “I didn’t believe it,” she says, approaching the counter. “Even after Maddie told me, I still had to come see with my own eyes. You’re really leaving?”
“It’s for the best, Rose. The job Trevor got is amazing. It’s a great opportunity for both of us.”
She raises a brow, clearly wanting to argue about how it won’t be quite as great for me. I’ll no longer have this coffee shop. Not to mention my support system.
“He had an opportunity here once before, couldn’t that be arranged again?”
“Cardiothoracic fellowships last three years. It wouldn’t be fair to ask him to wait around here for two more just on the hope that when the next one opens up, he’ll be the one to get it.”
“But there are dozens of hospitals in the city. In neighboring towns.”
I smile sadly. “There are, but everyone knows about his amnesia by now. Hospitals are hesitant to hire someone with memory loss, even if he has proven his medical knowledge is intact. The only reason he got this offer was because of a friend’s confidence in him. It may be the only way to advance his career. He had to take it. He deserves this chance.”
Her eyes become misty. “Oh, but how my granddaughter will miss you.” She puts her old, weathered hand on mine. “We’ll all miss you.”
After she leaves, I escape into the office, tired of doing the same song and dance with everyone who walks through the doors. Word has spread quickly. Everyone is shocked. They don’t understand why we’d do it. And I’m sure most of them think it was solely his decision.
But what kind of wife would I be if I didn’t support him? I’m getting the one thing I’ve dreamed about for decades: a baby. It’s only fair he gets to realize his dreams as well.
“You don’t have to sell the place,” Jason says, leaning against the doorway. “I’ll run it for you. And you’ll still have it, you know, just in case.”
“You think I need to have a backup plan?”
He shrugs. “It’s not the worst idea. I mean, I like the guy, I do. I guess I’m just playing devil’s advocate.”
“Trevor is my life, Jason. Do you know how lucky I am to have him? He could be dead. He could have rejected me and the baby. There are so many other ways this could have turned out. But we’re together.” I touch my stomach. “And we’re about to be a family. Isn’t that what matters the most?”
He scoffs and tilts his head. “You love him that much?”
I nod without a hint of hesitation. “I do. And I hope that one day, you find someone you love enough to give up something this important.”
I look around the office, knowing how much I’ll miss this place. The coffee house has been my life for so long now, I’m not sure what I’ll do without it. Atlanta is a huge city. There will be a Starbucks on every corner. No need for small corner coffee shops. Oh, how things are about to change.
The baby jabs me in the ribs, and I’m reminded justhow muchthings are going to change. I’ll just concentrate on being the best wife and mom I can be. Everything else will fall into place. I’m sure of it.
I glance at Jason who’s still studying me pensively.
