“Is he not on this trip with you?”
She shakes her head. “He had to fly to New York for some meetings.”
“Meetings . . . or to get a ring?”
Her eyes light up. “I don’t know, I never thought about it . . . maybe a ring.”
“That would be so exciting.” I reach out and squeeze her hand. “I’m so happy for you. I know you struggled with guys in college, so I’m happy to see you with someone who loves you unconditionally.”
“He does. I’m very lucky.” She takes a sip of her soda and says, “I hope this isn’t a touchy subject, but since you’re living with Halsey right now, I’m going to assume you aren’t with Perry anymore?”
“No, that ended a few weeks ago.”
“Oh wow, really?”
“Yeah.” I bring one leg up on the couch and turn completely toward her, draping my arm over the back of the couch. “He got a job in Australia, and he asked me to go with him. I didn’t want to move, and I didn’t think I had to give up everything I worked so hard for to follow him, you know?”
“I get that for sure.”
“And he didn’t have to take that job. It’s almost as if he was looking for a reason to leave. We were happy, but I’m not sure we were fully invested in each other, if that makes sense.”
“Like your careers mattered more than the relationship.”
“Huh.” I look away, thinking about that statement. “You know, I never thought about it that way.”
“You and Perry were always very ambitious and goal oriented. There is nothing wrong with that, but if those ambitions outweigh the relationship, it seems like there was no relationship there. You have to see what’s more important, and I think you both figured that out.”
“You’re right,” I say. “Our work was more important than our relationship, more important than us.” I wince. “What does that say about me?”
“It says that you know what you want, and nothing is wrong with that. I think when you’re with the right person, you realize that you could live without the job, but you can’t live without theperson. I know that’s the case with Banner and me. If he said he’s moving to New York tomorrow, I’d jump on a flight with him.”
I slowly nod. “God, Kenzie, when did you become so poetic?”
She chuckles. “I watch a lot ofFull Housereruns.”
Orange soda nearly flies out of my nose from her response.
I cover my nose and take a deep breath. “You need to warn me before you say something like that next time.” I wipe my nose. “It’s when the music turns serious . . . right?”
“That’s when I know I’m about to learn a lesson for the day. Danny Tanner with the wise advice.”
“Always.”
She crosses her legs and turns toward me. “So are you going to take Huxley’s job?”
I roll my eyes. “Oh my God, please don’t tell me he sent you here to ask me.”
“No, not at all. But it would be cool if you were back in Los Angeles. I’d love to see you more. I can’t believe it’s taken us this long to see each other again.”
“I know, I’m disappointed in us. But I don’t know much about the job to make a solid decision. Still waiting on more details from Huxley. I’m flattered, that’s for sure, but I do like my current job. I love spending time with the athletes and joking around with the boys. I like working with Penny, and I love it here in Vancouver. So it’s tough.”
She nods. “The love for where you’re at right now outweighs the possibility to do something new.”
“Perhaps,” I answer.
“And does this decision have anything to do with the guy you’re currently living with?”
“Halsey?” I ask, surprised by her question. “Oh, no. I barely know him. He’s sweet and considerate, and I appreciate him letting me stay here for a few weeks. I’m between places at themoment until my new apartment doesn’t have water running down its walls.”
