“Thanks for thinking of me, Mark. I really appreciate it.”
“Just promise me you’ll give it serious consideration,” Mark told him. “I’ll email you the proposal this afternoon. Let’s touch base next week.”
“Sounds good. Talk soon.” Liam ended the call and set down his phone. The contract sounded like everything he’d ever wanted—a chance to travel the world, write about his experiences, and reach a global audience.
But as his excitement settled, he thought about Chloe and Oscar. He glanced at the small bookshelf in the corner of his room, filled with books and magazines Chloe had lent him. Above his desk was a drawing Oscar had given him of his favorite dinosaur.
If he left Sapphire Bay, he didn’t know what would happen to their growing relationship. Chloe wanted stability and consistency. It was the kind of life you couldn’t have when you were traveling around the world. And with Oscar in school, the chance of her wanting to take him to remote areas of Asia wasn’t high.
He scratched under Trixie’s chin. For the first time in years, he felt like he belonged somewhere. The people in town knew him by name, greeted him warmly, and included him in their lives. He wasn’t just passing through; he’d become part of the community. Could he leave all this behind?
His phone buzzed again, this time with a text message. He picked it up and sighed. It was a message from Chloe.
Hi, Liam! Just a reminder—dinner at six tonight. Oscar can’t wait to show you the gingerbread house we made.
Liam smiled, his heart tugging in two directions.
I’ll be there,he texted back.
He had a big decision to make. The dream job he’d always wanted was within reach, but so was the life he was building in Sapphire Bay.
Taking a deep breath, he picked up Trixie’s leash. “Come on, girl. Let’s go for that walk.”
As they stepped outside, he knew it wouldn’t be easy deciding what he’d do. Because whatever choice he made would shape his future in ways he couldn’t imagine.
CHAPTER 9
As Liam walkedtoward Chloe’s cottage, the Halloween decorations in people’s front yards took his mind off the job offer. Glowing skeletons sat alongside white-sheeted ghosts and bright orange pumpkins. Fluffy cobwebs hung from mailboxes and people had filled their flower boxes with spooky decorations.
With the scent of wood smoke and pine in the air, it was the sort of moment that reminded him of his parents’ neighborhood. Each Halloween, everyone came together for a street party, complete with Halloween-themed food that rivaled anything he’d seen since.
Mr. Jenkins waved from his veranda. “Evening, Liam!”
“Hi, Mr. Jenkins. Are you having dinner at The Welcome Center on Friday?”
The elderly gentleman nodded. “I wouldn’t miss it. I’ll see you there.”
“You will. Have a great night.” Liam carried on down the street. Fifteen minutes later, he reached Chloe’s front gate. Over the last couple of days, Chloe and Oscar had joined their neighbors and decorated their veranda with pumpkins and silhouettes of black cats riding broomsticks.
When he reached the front door, he smiled. Chloe’s usual doorbell had been replaced with a glowing white button shaped like a cute ghost.
Trixie’s overactive nose twitched as she sniffed the pumpkins beside the door.
“Are you ready?” he asked Trixie.
She wagged her tail and Liam rang the doorbell.
“Hi, Liam!” Oscar’s eyes were bright as he threw open the door. “Mom said to come inside.”
He stepped into the brightly lit cottage and took off his jacket. “Hi, Oscar. I hear there’s a gingerbread house I need to see?”
Chloe appeared from around the corner, a smile spreading across her face. “Hey, you.”
“Hey,” he replied, feeling his heart lift at the sight of her.
“Come on! It’s in the dining room!” Oscar tugged at his hand, leading him farther inside.
Liam caught Chloe’s gaze. “It smells amazing in here.”
