I sincerely think about the question. “No. I kind of like the sound. It’s soothing.”
Her smile grows so big you’d think I’d complimented her instead of a windchime. “It brings in positive energy, and some say even repels evil.”
“I don’t think it’s working,” I tease.
“Why not?”
“My thoughts are not very pure right now.”
She laughs and then shrieks when I grab her waist and pull her against me. “I missed you this morning,” I whisper into her ear. “I didn’t like waking up without you beside me.”
She beams up at me. “You didn’t?”
I nod and kiss her gently on the lips. “Why couldn’t you sleep?”
Her smile falters and her eyes look away. Cradling her face with my hands, I look into her eyes. “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
“Yes… and no.”
“Sage, baby, you have to be more specific than that.”
She sighs. “I know.” Then she rolls off me and crosses her legs. I sit up, resting my elbow on my knee, watching her. Her pink tights match her toes and while I have never noticed things like that before, I’m noticing a lot more with Sage. “Talk to me. You’ve never had a problem being honest with me.”
“It’s not that. I have no intention of lying. That’s what kept me up all night, is wondering how I would say it.”
“Say what?” Her tone and face scare me.
“I’m leaving tomorrow.”
“What?”
She reaches for my hands. “You’ve been doing so great here on your own. Dr. Lukes and his team are incredible, and I see how strong you’re getting every day. You’re going to be back with your team in no time, I’m sure of it.”
I close my eyes while I run a hand through my hair. “I don’t understand. You were never my trainer. You’re my girlfriend, Sage. You don’t have to leave just because I’m getting better.”
She shakes her head. “It’s not that.”
“Then what is it?”
“I’m going to take that job in New York City.”
Her face shows no emotion. Other than blinking. Her hands sit still at her knees, and she doesn’t move at all.
I smile. “That’s great, babe. I’m proud of you.”
She swallows and then drops her head into her hands. “Oh, Casey,” she sobs. “I thought you would be upset.”
I pull her hands away and press her face to my chest. “Why would I be upset?”
“Because I’m leaving you.”
My hand stiffens in her hair, and I look up to the ceiling. “Just so we’re clear… you’re moving to New York. We’re not breaking up, right?”
She pulls back to look at me. “No. We’re not. But I’ve never left anything or anyone before. It feels wrong, but at the same time, I kept thinking about this job. It’s the perfect opportunity, and you’re right, I would regret not taking it. I was so confused, but when I saw how happy you’ve been these last couple of weeks, it made me think about what I really want. I want to help people get back on their feet. I want to do it with every cell in my body.”
“And that’s what I love about you. You don’t give up on people, and you are not leaving me. You don’t have to stay in one place to prove your loyalty to me or anyone else. Just be happy, that’s all I want. We will figure out the rest.”
She wraps her arms around my waist and squeezes. “I’m so scared of losing you.”
