Milan leaned back in her chair. “There's Seattle, and then there's Seattle Seattle. One requires a map. The other requires emotional damage."
That pulled a reluctant laugh from Johanna. Unfortunately, it disappeared just as quickly.
Milan noticed. "When did you find out?"
"Today."
"How?"
Johanna swallowed. "They called him during lunch."
Milan's face immediately scrunched in sympathy. "Ouch."
"Exactly." The word came out sharper than she'd intended.
Silence settled between them for a moment.
Below, the casino floor buzzed with activity. Guests drifted between slot machines. Dealers exchanged cards at blackjack tables. Somewhere, somebody hit a jackpot and a chorus of bells erupted through the gaming area.
Life went on.
Meanwhile, Johanna felt like someone had reached into her chest and pulled loose every ounce of certainty she'd spent weeks rebuilding.
"He said he interviewed months ago," she admitted quietly. "Before we started seeing each other again."
Milan nodded slowly. "But he never told you."
Johanna looked down at her hands. "No."
The simple word felt heavier than it should have. Because the truth was, Seattle wasn't what hurt most.
Not really.
It was the realization that while she'd been falling for him again, while she'd been letting herself believe they finally had a chance, there had still been a version of Blaze imagining a future somewhere else.
A future that didn't automatically include her.
Milan studied her for a long moment. "You think he's going to take it."
Johanna looked away. "I don't know."
"That's not what I asked."
The quiet accuracy of the statement landed hard.
"No," Johanna admitted. "I don't know if he's going to take it."
Milan waited.
Johanna's throat tightened. "But I know he wanted it enough to apply."
There it was. The real fear. Not Seattle. Not even the job. Instead, the possibility that some part of Blaze was still searching for something beyond Sheraton Beach.
Beyond her.
Milan exhaled slowly. "Can I tell you what I think?"
"Do I have a choice?"
