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I feel like I want to cry, but I can’t break down. I knew what I was getting myself into.

“I’ll make sure to wear it when we go,” I say softly.

I’m not going to ask if he wants to spend the night together. I already know he doesn’t. I already know he wants to move on, and that’s fine.

“So, I guess you guys are going out for a drink or something? That’s what Sage was saying.” He runs his fingers through his hair. “I guess you want to get in as much partying as you can before you head to LA for your big break.”

“I suppose so,” I say.

I have no plans to go to LA. I never planned on going to LA. I wanted to find out if I was good enough. I wanted to impress. But being rich and famous and on TV was never a goal I had for my life. I’m not going to tell him that though.

“I’ll text you the details,” he says. “I don’t think I’ll be able to make it tonight. I’ve got some work to do.”

“Sounds good,” I say. “Thank you for coming.”

“You’re welcome,” he says. “Congratulations.”

He kisses my cheek and pulls back. “You’re going to do amazing things, Rosie. Absolutely amazing things.”

* * *

“I’m so proud of you, little sis.” Sage’s voice is loud and proud as we sit at the Mexican restaurant and share nachos. “You are so funny, and you put yourself out there, and you’re just so talented.”

“Thank you. I love you so much, Sage, and I am so proud of myself.”

“I can’t believe you’re not taking the NBC offer.” Sage sips on her margarita. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

“You know me. I don’t want to be in LA. And I’m not in it to be famous. I just want to make people happy.” I grab my phone. “I need to call Priscilla now and tell her.” I drink some water and then search for her number. “I’m going to recommend they hire Marcus. He’s such a good guy, and he was such a support to me; he deserves this shot.”

“That’s so nice of you.” She beams at me. “You always put others first. That is so selfless of you.”

“Just doing my part.” I look down at my screen and smile. “Brett just texted me with the details for Catalina Island this weekend.”

“You’re still going?”

“Of course.” I ignore her slightly annoyed face. “He’s a good guy, Sage. He really is.”

“You love him, don’t you?”

“Maybe.”

“Rosie?”

“Fine, yes, I love him. I want the best for him. He needs this money for his nonprofit. And I want to help him get it.”

“Have you told him how you feel?”

“No way.” I jolt backward. “Are you crazy? He doesn’t feel that way about me. He’s basically pushing me to go to LA so he doesn’t have to deal with my unwanted feelings.”

“But you’re not going to LA.” Sage frowns. “So, what will he do when he realizes that?”

“He’ll be so busy working on his nonprofit that it won’t matter. Helping him brings me joy. I love him, and I want him to be happy. He’s gone through a lot in life, and I just want to see him smile.”

“Oh, Rosie, you are too good for this world.” Sage reaches forward and squeezes my hand. “But I know your heart, and I know I can’t talk you out of this. I just hope he knows what you’re doing for him.”

“He does. He’s not a bad guy. We just want different things. And that’s okay. That’s just how life goes sometimes.” I grab another chip and munch on it before sitting up. “Okay, let me call Priscilla now and move on with my life. At least now I know I do have a talent.”

“You’re more than talented, Rosie. Just remember what I always tell you: Life is about being happy and living for joy. Don’t play it safe, not with life, work, or love. What’s to be will be. I promise you that.”