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 had 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 brushes 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. I send my flight details to Pat.
A thumbs-up emoji is all I get in return.
New York.
I’m going back.
I feel stronger than I have in years.
I feel healed.
I’m going to miss everything about New Orleans.
But I’m going to miss Hunter something fierce.
* * *
Hunter
Winter and I sit in my truck as it idles at the curb of the airport.
Stay,I want to say. But I would never ask her something so unfair.
She turns to me, and the pain in her eyes is my first clue that she’s not any surer of how to say goodbye than I am. “This was supposed to be easy.”
“I know.” I shoot her a grin. “You asked for friends with benefits. That should have been easy to deliver.”
