Lucy's expression shifted. "What do you mean?"
"I mean—we just bought a house. We're building a life here, in Timber Falls. Franchising sounds like it would pull you away. To Boston, to Portland, to wherever these restaurants are."
"It wouldn't be all the time. Just—occasionally. For training and oversight."
"Lucy, I've seen how you work. You don't do anything occasionally. You'd be consumed by this, trying to make sure all three locations were perfect. Just like you're consumed by Margaret's now."
"So what, I should just turn it down? Give up this opportunity because it might be inconvenient?"
"I'm not saying turn it down. I'm saying think carefully about what you're taking on. About whether this is sustainable with the life we're trying to build."
Lucy stood up. "I can't believe this. I thought you'd be excited for me. Supportive. Instead, you're—you're trying to hold me back."
"I'm not trying to hold you back! I'm trying to be realistic about what this means for us!"
"There is no us without our careers, Jake! We're both ambitious people building big dreams. I supported you starting the coaching academy. Why can't you support me expanding Margaret's?"
"The coaching academy is here. In Timber Falls. It doesn't pull me away for days at a time. This is different."
"So I'm supposed to limit my dreams to Timber Falls? Never grow beyond this one restaurant because it might be inconvenient for you?"
"That's not what I'm saying!"
"Then what are you saying?"
Jake took a breath, trying to calm down. "I'm saying that we need to think about balance. About building our careers without destroying our relationship. We almost lost each other once because of competing ambitions. I don't want to do that again."
Lucy was quiet for a long moment. "I need some air. I'm going for a walk."
"Lucy—"
"I just—I need to think."
She left, and Jake sat in their apartment, feeling like he'd just ruined everything.
He wasn't trying to hold Lucy back. He was trying to protect what they'd built. But clearly, she didn't see it that way.
Jake pulled out his phone and texted Marcus:Had a fight with Lucy. About her expanding the restaurant. I think I screwed up.
Marcus responded immediately:Where is she?
Jake:Went for a walk. Said she needed to think.
Marcus:Give her space. Then apologize. You probably did screw up.
Jake:Helpful. Thanks.
Marcus:That's what I'm here for. But Jake—real talk. You can't ask Lucy to limit her dreams. That's not fair.
Jake:I'm not asking her to limit her dreams. I'm asking her to consider how her dreams impact us.
Marcus:That's the same thing, man. Either you support her fully, or you don't. There's no middle ground.
Jake set down his phone. Was Marcus right? Was he asking Lucy to choose between her ambition and their relationship?
He didn't want to be that person. Didn't want to be the partner who held her back.
But he also didn't want to lose her to another city, another dream, another version of Paris.
