“Because I’m home,” I say. “Once I leave New Orleans, who knows what will happen?”
“Sweetheart, you don’t have a choice in this one. If you want the part, and I know you do,thisis your moment. Make or break.”
I take a deep breath. “Okay. I’ll see what I can do for flights and text you later.”
When I return to Hunter’s side, he raises his eyebrows. “Good news?”
I take my seat next to him on the rock and tell him I got the part.
He wraps me up in a warm hug, and I melt into his arms. “That’s great,” he says as he pulls back to look at me.
He’s genuinely supportive, but his voice sounds off.
“You don’t sound excited,” I say.
“I am excited,” he says. “As long as you’re following your heart.”
“Of course I am,” I say sharply.
His eyes roam my face. “You just seem…I don’t know—stressed? Like maybe Pat’s more excited than you are about this.”
I shake my head. “Not true.”
He points to the notes sticking up out of the backpack. They were ideas I thought of for my musical, and I made us stop on our hike so I could jot them down.
“Could you play the lead in this musical you’re writing?” He taps the notes.
“Yes,” I say. “Technically. If I can get someone to produce and direct it. I need connections, and Pat didn’t seem interested. And I don’t have those kinds of connections on my own.”
“Who says you need Broadway? What about Les Anderson? He’s got a ton of connections in New Orleans.”
I stare at him. He has a point. “I just can’t think about this right now. Pat said he needs me to fly back to New York the day after tomorrow.”
Hunter blinks. “Day after tomorrow. You’re leaving that soon?”
“I have to.” I cross my arms over my chest. “I don’t want to leave so soon. I’ll make sure the agency finds a replacement to take care of Theo.”
“Winter. This isn’t about Theo. You and I both know that.”
Hunter’s eyes shine so green as he searches my expression. I reach over and gently run my hand through his dark hair. “I know.”
“I support whatever you do, Princess.”
We’re acting like we’re breaking up. And when he reaches for my hand, it’s bittersweet.
I clench my jaw as we lock eyes. “I have to take the role. I’ll forever kick myself if I don’t.”
“I understand.” He leans in and puts his lips softly over mine. “No matter how far apart we are, I’m always here for you. Remember that.”
I do. Hunter’s always been there. He also gets me. The me that no one else sees. And right now, I read his face just like he read mine—he doesn’t think I’m happy on Broadway. He’d be right. But that role…
Like I told him, I can’t pass it up. So…I guess I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to fly to New York in two days.
As soon as we make the drive back to New Orleans, while Hunter’s out grabbing us takeout for dinner, I book a one-way ticket to JFK Airport. And then I send my flight details to Pat.
A thumbs-up emoji is all I get in return.
New York.
