“Ohio?” she repeated. The word sounded like a foreign language. “That’s... that’s a long way from the Lowcountry.” She pressed her lips together. This was not the place to lose her temper. “So much for you sticking around.” She couldn’t hold back the bitterness.
“True.” He took a step closer. “It’s an incredible opportunity,” he continued. “And there’s only one reason I’m considering it.”
“Do tell.” She clutched her pen with both hands.
“They’re desperate for a high-level administrator for their new STEM initiative. I sent them what I knew of your CV, Scarlett. I told them about the work you’ve done here and your background in mathematics. They’re holding the position for you. We could both have what we need. It would be our fresh start together. It would be a big career leap for you. There’s a gifted program for Cora?—”
“No. Hold up.” Scarlett stood, her chair rolling back hard enough to bump the wall. “You don’t get to decide my career track. You don’t get to choose the program for my daughter.”
“Ourdaughter.”
She ignored the low warning in his voice, her own temper leaving no room to worry over his. “This is my life. I’m not looking for a career change. You had no right to send anything on my behalf.” Her life was Brookwell. This job, this school system, this support network of friends and chosen family. What made him think she needed a fresh start?
This was where she fit in. Where she belonged. He’d shown up and distracted her for a couple of weeks. And no, shewouldn’t deny him a chance to bond with his daughter, but she refused to uproot her life so he could chase his career goals.
“Some partnership,” she grumbled. “We’ll have to discuss this later.” She was not about to blow a gasket here, at her workplace. “This is my home. Cora’s home. This place and these people matter to me and to our daughter.” Good grief, she knew each child’s name and every parent’s backstory. “Go. Have a lovely career. I’ll have a family lawyer reach out with a custody agreement.”
“Scarlett, wait, I’m here todiscussit.”
“You’re here to make declarations.” Pain lanced her heart and her voice was dangerously low, a sharp edge cutting through the shock. “A career leap without even asking me what I wanted? You didn’t mention this on our date.”
“I didn’t know anything for sure,” Cooper said. He frowned, tucking his hands in his pockets. “I’ve been looking for remote options.”
“But you want this.”
He hesitated. “I want you and Cora. I want us to be a family.”
His explanation felt like too little too late, but she let him prattle on.
“I’m bringing it up now so you know there are options. You’re way too smart for this small-town administrative role, Scarlett. You deserve a post that lets you shine and thrive.”
“Now you’re an expert in what I need to thrive?” She tossed her pen onto the desk as her anger erupted. “You know what’s best because you’re using your degree in the manner it was intended?”
Feeling betrayed made all of this a thousand times worse than the last time he’d moved on to a better opportunity without her.
“I want what’s best for all of us,” he challenged. “Don’t stand here and tell me we’re nothing.”
No, she wouldn’t lie. “I loved you then. I will probably always love you.” The admission was like chewing glass. “But you’re made for all those big opportunities.” The heat of her anger melted away. “You’re a talented and passionate professor. You should be reaching as many minds as you can.
All I can do is follow my heart and my gut. Seven years ago, I decided to give Cora stability and I’m not budging on that. This island may seem small to you, but it’s full of people who love her. She has friends and mentors. And she’ll have a dad too, if you want to invest in that long-distance effort. If not? Goodbye and good luck.”
He swore. “Don’t do this,” Cooper countered, his own voice rising. “Don’t shut me out again. This is a chance for all three of us. Cora would have access to the best university-affiliated schools. We would have stability. I wouldn’t be her mom’s friend, I’d be her dad and your partner for life. Give us a chance to be a real family,” he pleaded.
“If you need an answer now, I say no, thank you,” Scarlett said. “Willow gave me the number for a family lawyer.” She reached for her phone.
“Stop this and listen to yourself.” His big hands held her shoulders in a tender, firm grip. “This isn’t set in stone, it’s one option.”
“The option you should take.” It hurt too much to look at him. “I never want to hold you back.”
“Why doesn’t the same hold true for you?” he demanded. “You could have a career in mathematics or music and you’re just here. Why are you settling?”
“Just here,” she echoed, her breath ragged. Why had she ever thought he could understand? “It’s not settling.” She’d never felt that way at all. “This is my life and I love it. Brookwell gives me the best of everything as Cora’s mom.Weare happy here.”
“Happiness can grow. It should grow.” Cooper’s gaze searched hers. “Are you really happy here, Scarlett? Or are you just safe?”
The question hit a nerve so raw it felt like a physical blow. She shook off his touch and retreated to her chair. She loved Brookwell. She loved her eclectic cottage and the oyster-shell paths and the way the marsh changed color at sunset. But more than that, she loved the person she had become here—a confident woman who didn’t need anyone’s approval or permission. Parts of her past might be messy, obviously parts of her future as well, but it was home.
“I am happy,” she said, her voice trembling with the effort to stay steady. “More importantly, Cora is happy. She’s surrounded by folks who love her. I won’t uproot her entire life because her father found a better opportunity.”
