“Only you can answer that. How much do you want it to last?”
“Badly.”
“Then don’t give up. Rachelle and I were apart for two years while I finished college, and she went through the fire academy. Let nothing—that includes distance—get in the way.”
“Good advice.”
He laughed. “It’s easier to give than follow.”
“I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that.”
“Or you could move to Los Angeles.”
“You followed Rachelle for her job.”
“Yes, but we’ve never had a traditional marriage.”
“That’s not a bad thing.” Especially considering how her parents viewed matrimony.
“It works for us. You and Garrett have to figure what works for you guys. It might take time.”
She needed to hear this. “I keep wishing it would be a quick fix.”
“If only.” Jayden put on gloves and pulled out a large pink bakery box. He filled it with pastries. Someone must have phoned in an order. “Giving up is easy. Perseverance is key.”
“I’ll remember that.”
Jayden studied her as if he couldn’t decide if he were making fudge and trying to determine if she’d reached the soft-ball stage without a candy thermometer. “There’s nothing wrong with wanting what seems impossible.”
She wanted two things that seemed that way—Garrett and the bakery.
“You also might learn about yourself through this.”
“How to make a long-distance relationship work?”
“That, and what do you need in your life to be happy.”
“Thanks.” She smiled at her friend and coworker. “Rachelle is lucky to have you.”
He laughed. “I only know this stuff from messing up with her.”
Would Garrett ever say that about her someday?
Taryn sighed.
Jayden handed her a snickerdoodle cookie. “It looks like you need this.”
“Thanks.”
“Keep believing in the two of you. That’s all you can do.”
“Besides, eat cookies.”
He laughed. “That, too.”
“I can do both.” She bit into the cookie. Now, if she could do the first as well as she did the second.
*
