Quinn blinked at the change in topic.“I’d planned to.Why?”
“Because seeing the four departments come together for the final project shows how such different things can create something amazing.There are many ways to approach life as well as business.”Sara gave a rueful laugh.“The first time I saw Ezreal, he was walking down the street muttering to himself about his music.I thought he was some homeless guy.If anyone had told me then that I’d marry him, I’d have thought they were crazy.Sometimes our future doesn’t look like we thought it would, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still find a way to pursue our dreams.”
“That sounds really profound.You’ve given me a lot to think about.”Quinn wanted to believe, but how could two such conflicting things both be hers?
“You’re an artist, so don’t give up on Heath without being creative.If you two haven’t talked about how you feel, I think you’re doing each other a disservice.Two smart people should be able to find a way.”Sara rose and stretched.“I have some work to do, so I’ll leave you to your thoughts.If you need anything, my office is that door.”
“Thank you.I’ll take care of these.”
Quinn took the mugs to the kitchen and loaded them into the dishwasher before retrieving her laptop.She might as well get some work done on the photos.She settled into a large, overstuffed chair before the fireplace.
After uploading the photos, she settled into her routine.She pulled up a picture of the Wallachs.Staring at the sweet little family, Quinn thought about what Sara had said.Was a long-distance romance the only way for Quinn and Heath to be together?
She thought back to her hike.In Washington, she’d gone with friends or photographers she knew.Today’s hike and the beautiful surroundings had invigorated her, but she’d hadn’t known anyone there.The others had come as couples or in small groups.Would the future she’d planned leave her alone even when people surrounded her?
Heath had mentioned wanting to see the fall colors, and she wished he could have come along with her.Or that she’d waited until he could.But that would mean they’d have to talk, and she didn’t know what to say.
13
By the time Heath left his last meeting, he could barely lift his feet to keep from shuffling.He hoped he had enough energy for the game night.It sounded fun.His day had included a long collaboration meeting for his programming team, but there’d also been a couple of sessions with members from the other departments also working on the project.
Kayn hadn’t been kidding when he’d talked about the energy that came from a room of creative types.There’d been disagreements too, but most had been good-natured.Even the arguments had inspired brainstorming, which had fed the synergy.
But as much as Heath had enjoyed it, a part of him missed his family, and he was fretting about the work he wasn’t doing for them.
The smell of something savory hit him when he reached the Wallachs’ door.He knocked, relieved someone must be home.Otherwise, he hadn’t been sure what he’d do.
The sound of someone messing with the lock made Heath stand straighter, expecting to see Ezreal.It wasn’t.
“Oh, hey.”As Quinn opened the door further, she stepped back, her expression wary.Heath was too tired for finesse.
“Sheesh, Quinn.Don’t look at me like I’m the boogeyman.I hate this weirdness between us.”He shuffled past her, and she followed him after closing the door.He glanced at the stairs, but he didn’t even have the energy to face those and simply sank onto the sofa.
She went to the chair next to it.Her laptop rested on the end table, so he must have interrupted her.
“Something smells good,” Heath said, leaning back and closing his eyes.
“Sara’s baking a crab dip for the game night.Doesn’t it smell yummy?
“It’s making me hungry.”He smiled to himself at how Quinn was starting to sound more like her usual self.Maybe they could get back to normal but with more.“Did you get some good shots on your hike?”
“Oh, yes.And lots around town and on the REKD campus.How did your meetings go?”
“Kayn was right about the collective energy when the whole team is together.”
“Do you think you’d want to move here?”Quinn finally asked.
“Nope.That hasn’t changed, but I’ve given it some thought and decided I need to be less rigid.I agree there’d be some benefit in coming here maybe once a month, especially if I can work while I’m flying.”Heath opened his eyes, turning his head toward her.“I’ve been thinking a lot about my career goals and what’s really important to me.”
“And?”she asked when he didn’t say more.
He straightened.“I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned my dad’s dad.He was a workaholic almost to the end.Then he found out he had an aggressive cancer and died two weeks later.I was with him the night before he passed, and he was talking about his regrets.
“He said he was sorry he’d missed out on so much raising his family and spending time with his grandkids.He told me that, at the end of the day, it’s your family who will be devastated when you die.Your boss and coworkers might feel bad for a little while, but then they’ll hire someone to replace you and move on.Your family will always grieve your absence.”
Heath leaned forward, his hands clasped before him.“I was seventeen then, impressionable, and I’d always wanted to be just like him.His words weighed on me.Then, the following year, almost on the anniversary of Granddad Savage’s funeral, we lost Phoebe.”
“She was Mellie’s twin, right?I’m so sorry.Lia’s only mentioned her a couple of times and nearly cried.”
