Missy’s car door closes behind me, and I swing around, startled by her sudden appearance next to me.
“Sorry, just grabbing my jacket from my car,” Missy says.
“How did you sneak up so quietly? I didn’t even hear you open your door,” I say.
“I can be sneaky when I want to be.” Missy grins.
From our spot several yards away from the fire pit, I hear Paige’s melodic laughter. Just the sound is enough to bring a smile to my face.
“You know, it’s so good to see you two dating,” Missy says. “I’ve never seen Paige so happy. And that’s huge—I’ve known her for about a decade now. Can I just say how happy I am that you’re keeping her here?”
I get what Missy is saying, but I cringe at her words. I’mkeepingPaige here. It sounds like I’ve taken Paige hostage.
Though this week has been one for the books, thoughts like these keep needling me in the back of my brain, reminding me that our being together comes at a cost, and right now, Paige is the only one paying the price. She’s giving up her dream job and a climate that is warm all year round so that we can work. I try to remind myself what Paige told me to remember at times like this—that she chooses me. That she chooses us. But even though my worries fade with her words, I know my anxiety is only waiting to pop back up at a later time.
“I would have missed her too much if she went to California,” Missy continues. “But she’s here for good now. I mean, she hasn’t technically turned it down yet, but soon enough.”
“Turned down?” I ask. As far as I know, Paige hasn’t technically been offered the Z3 job.
Missy blanches, and her eyes dart away from mine and toward the fire pit.
“Missy, what do you know?”
“What do I know? Nothing.”
“Missy.” I eye her.
Missy scrunches her nose. “Paige got offered the job on Wednesday.” She grimaces, looking repentant. “I’m sorry. I thought you knew.”
“I didn’t.” I swallow.
Missy puts her hand on my arm, her eyes softening. “She probably just thought you already knew her answer. I mean, we can all see it. She’d choose your relationship over anything else, Jordan.”
Just then, Paige rounds the car, asking if I’ve seen her phone. I reach into the front seat of my car, where I saw it sitting moments earlier, and feed it to her hand that’s poking out of her curtain of blankets.
“Thanks,” Paige says, watching Missy fidget. “You okay, Missy?”
Missy must take this as her cue to leave because she walks around us, mouthing, “Sorry.”
Paige looks confused.
My feet shift around, making shoe prints in the dirt. “You got offered the job.”
“Oh.” Paige looks back at Missy’s retreating form. “I did.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I’m not mad at Paige. After all, I’m pretty sure I can guess why she didn’t.
Paige sighs before looking up at me with furrowed brows. “I didn’t think I needed to tell you because you already know my answer, and it’s not changing. The only reason why I haven’t turned down the job yet is because Z3 wanted me to take some time to think about it before I give them an answer. And…” She takes a breath. “And because I didn’t want you to worry.”
I put my hands on her padded shoulders before brushing back a strand of hair that’s broken loose from her ponytail and tucking it behind her ear. “Paige, I don’t want you ever to feel like you can’t tell me things that happen in your life. You are there for me more than you know. And I want to be there for you, too. I want to celebrate with you. Even if you’re not accepting Z3, I want to celebrate the fact that you got the job. That they see what I see in you—this creative, talented woman who will be a killer advertising executive one day.”
Paige sniffles, but I don’t know if she’s crying because of my words or because some part of her really wants to accept Z3.
I close my eyes and feel the pain prick inside me once again. Of course she wants the job. And I want that for Paige. I want her to feel more valued at work than she is here. I want her to visit beaches on every continent. I want her to live where she wants and not freeze in the mountains of Colorado.
Paige must see the turn in my thoughts because she wraps both her arms around my waist, letting some of the blankets around her fall to the dusty ground. “I choose you, Jordan. Remember that. I want to be with you.”
In her warmth, I am overwhelmed by her goodness and patience. She deserves everything she wants. Not just me but a future in California, too.
