Page 210 of The Sweetest Return

I moved a piece of grilled salmon around my plate. “Because Dre is about to step back into football.”

Camille stilled.

“Officially?”

“Maybe. Coach Price called on the flight back from Malibu. Running backs coach.”

“Oh.”

“Exactly.”

“That’s big.”

“It is.”

“And you’re happy for him.”

“I am.” I set my fork down. “I watched him watch the Forge. I heard him when he said it hurt not being able to help. He needs this, or something like it. Somewhere to put what he knows.”

“But?”

“But we just found each other again. Now his world might get bigger at the same time mine does.” I met her eyes. “I know travel is normal. I know people manage it. I know I’m allowed to have a career and a man.”

“Are you telling me or yourself?”

“Both.”

Camille’s face gentled.

“I left him once for a job,” I said.

“You left Pittsburgh for yourself.”

“I know. And I don’t regret choosing myself. I needed New York. I needed Tiffany. I needed to know who I was without everybody already making me Andre Jones’ forever. But the result was still me gone and him here, and I don’t want to look up six months from now and realize we recreated the same distance with better luggage.”

Camille reached across the table and touched my wrist.

“The difference now is you know how to talk, and Dre knows how to stay.”

My chest warmed, then tightened.

“That was rude.”

“That was wisdom.”

“It was both.”

“Good. Multifunctional.”

The laugh came easier this time, and the worry loosened a little.

It did not leave.

But it gave me room to breathe around it.

Camille leaned back, studying me over her tea. That was when I noticed the glow on her face.

I narrowed my eyes.