Two weeks ago, she would have replied immediately, probably with too many exclamation points. She would have started packing mentally, already planning how quickly she could wrap up the Pine Cottage project and move on.
Now, she felt something twist in her chest.
From the kitchen came the domestic sounds of Spencer cooking, the quiet sizzle of something in a pan, the clink of a utensil against the stovetop of the newly repaired range. The scent of coffee and food filled the cottage, making it feel lived-in and warm.
She glanced toward the window. She could see the edge of the porch they’d rebuilt, the garden where Spencer had revealed his true nature to her.
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard.
“Everything okay?” Spencer’s voice came from the doorway.
Meryl looked up, startled. She hadn’t heard him approach.
“Yes,” she said automatically, then: “No. I don’t know.”
Spencer set a plate of scrambled eggs and toast on the side table near her. “Work stuff?”
“A job offer,” she said, turning the screen slightly so he could see. “A big one. With Atelier, they’re a big design group based onthe west coast. Some of the work can be done remotely, but the rest is in-house.”
She watched his face carefully. Something flickered in his eyes, concern, resignation, she couldn’t quite tell, but he kept his expression neutral.
“That sounds like an opportunity you don’t want to miss,” he said.
“It is.” Meryl closed the laptop slowly. “It’s the kind of opportunity that doesn’t come along very often.”
Spencer nodded, his body language subtly shifting. He took a small step back, his shoulders tensing slightly. “When would it start?”
“Three weeks.”
The silence that followed felt heavier than before.
“You should eat,” he said finally, gesturing to the plate. “Before it gets cold.”
Meryl reached for the food, but her appetite had vanished. The eggs tasted like nothing in her mouth. She set her fork down after a few bites.
“I need to think about it,” she said.
“Of course.” Spencer’s voice was carefully even.
“It’s just, this is what I do,” she continued, needing him to understand. “This is my work. My career. What I’m good at.”
“I know.” He met her gaze directly. “I’ve seen your designs. You’re very talented, Meryl. So I’m not surprised at all that you got such a good offer.”
Something about his simple acknowledgment made her throat tighten. He wasn’t trying to hold her back or make her choose. He was just... there. Supportive as always, even as she wrestled with a decision that could take her away from him.
“I should respond at least,” she said, opening the laptop again. “Let Lou know I received it.”
Spencer nodded. “I’ll give you some space.”
He moved toward the door, and Meryl felt a sudden panic rise in her chest. “You don’t have to go.”
“I’m just going to check on something on the porch,” he said. “I’ll be right outside.”
When he was gone, Meryl stared at the email again. Her fingers moved to the keyboard, typing a polite, professional response that acknowledged the opportunity without committing to anything yet.
Thank you for thinking of me for this exciting project. I’d be happy to discuss it further. I’m available for a call early next week...
She added her availability, reread the message twice, then hit send before she could overthink it.
