"Good. Because the ticket is non-refundable."
That night, Jake texted Lucy.
Jake:Can I come visit? Early July?
Three dots appeared immediately. Then disappeared. Then appeared again.
Finally:Why?
Jake:Because I've been an idiot. Because I told you to make this decision alone but that's not fair. You need to see both options clearly. So I'm coming to Paris. If that's okay.
More dots. Then:When?
Jake:July 2-10. I know your program ends the 15th. I want to be there before you make your final decision.
Jake:Is that okay? I'm not trying to pressure you. I just want you to see me. Really see what you'd be choosing if you came home.
A long pause. Jake stared at his phone, willing Lucy to respond.
Finally:Okay. Come to Paris.
Jake:Thank you.
Lucy:But Jake? I haven't decided yet. I don't know what I'm going to choose.
Jake:I know. That's okay. I'm not coming to convince you. I'm just coming to be there.
Lucy:Okay. See you soon.
Jake set down his phone and felt something shift in his chest. Hope, maybe. Or just relief that he was finally doing something instead of just waiting.
One week. He had one week to prepare. To figure out what he wanted to say to Lucy. To be ready for whatever decision she made.
And then he'd go to Paris. He'd remind Lucy of what they had. Of what they could have if she came home.
And then—whatever happened next—at least he'd know he'd tried.
When Jake texted about coming to Paris, Lucy's first instinct was panic.
She wasn't ready. She hadn't decided. Having Jake here would make everything harder.
But also—she wanted to see him. God, she wanted to see him.
"He's coming?" Amelie asked when Lucy told her the next day.
"July second. Staying until the tenth."
"Good. You need to see him. You need to remember what you're choosing."
"What if seeing him makes it harder?"
"It will make it harder. But harder is not the same as wrong."
Lucy spent the next week in a state of constant anxiety. She had to respond to the restaurants by July first—tell them yes or no about the positions. But how could she decide without seeing Jake first? Without knowing if what they had was still real or just a memory?
On June 30th, Lucy called each restaurant and asked for an extension. Just two weeks. She'd know by July 15th.
All three agreed. Barely. They weren't happy about it, but they agreed.
