Her cheeks flushed. “It crossed my mind. But what about your parents? They’re expecting you to take over the resort. They’re wanting to retire. I don’t want to cause a problem between you and them.”
“They can either put off retirement for a while or hire someone else to run the place. It’s nothing they haven’t talked about before. They’ve always wanted me to do what was best for me. And if you’re in Boston, that’s where I want to be.” He would never choose any job over Lauren. She meant way more to him than that. And he would never ask her to give up her dreams. She’d been given so few advantages in life—had to claw her way to the top. He admired her spunk and resilience more than he could say.
Her eyes grew intense. “Maybe we should give it a little time before you tell them. I mean, are you sure you’re willing to do this? You’d be giving up so much.”
“We can wait a bit if you want. But I’m certain—this is what I want.”
“But you love the resort.”
It was true. Running the resort washisdream job. He’d never envisioned doing anything else, despite his parents’ insistence that he explore other options. He tugged her hand, pulling her from her seat and guiding her to his lap, where she melted into him.
He wrapped his arms around her and brushed her lips with his. “I do love the resort. But I love you even more.”
Her eyes went teary again as she palmed his cheek. “But how can I ask you to give that up for me?”
He kissed her perfect nose. “You didn’t have to ask, sweetheart.”
Chapter 32
Present day
Lauren returned from the road trip tired and yet, somehow, content. She flopped into bed that night and caught up on texts, periodically petting Graham, who sat conveniently beside her on the floor. She kept reliving those moments at the motel when Jonah had given her that present.
Her gaze flashed to the top of her closet where she’d stashed the Heelys. That gift had warmed her heart. If she was honest, it had also opened her heart. Their easy and fun conversations on the way home resonated with her. Perhaps enjoying his company in a way she hadn’t since the accident had opened some familiar pathway in her brain. Or maybe it was like those time-loop movies: no matter where they were in time or space, no matter what they did, they were destined to fall for each other.
Staring at her phone, she was unable to resist the temptation to peek into the past and see what being with Jonah had been like. She opened their text thread and scrolled way back to the very beginning. She skimmed past the perfunctory texts she remembered. They were short and to the point, all revolving around resort duties. Her replies were direct, sometimes abrasive. She couldn’t help smiling, remembering how he’d pushed all her buttons.
Then sometime in May the tone of their exchanges shifted. Sometimes Jonah would bring up things that weren’t work related. He senta couple funny gifs. Their texts were short and sweet. She began joking with him, using her sarcasm as she would with a friend. And then there was this entry.
Thanks for inviting me to Flume Gorge. I had a nice time.
Just nice?
Fishing for compliments?
Always.??
I agreed to see you again, didn’t I?
We have a great time together. Those sparks. Whew.
Not denying that.
You’re worrying again. Live a little. You work too hard.
My boss is telling me I work toohard?
I’m just unselfish like that. Or maybe I’m being selfish. Hmm.
She’d sent him the emoji of a brain exploding and he laughed at that.
Their exchanges continued on, sometimes business related, most times not.
In early August he sent a text late one night.I like you.
I thought we established yesterday that you love me.
Oh, I do. But I like you too.???
