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“I really don’t know anymore. I wanted to prove that I could do it, but honestly? The last three years have been miserable. It took all my strength to leave after Liam’s wedding.”
“Then I’ll help you pack, but you have to finish finals. You’ve put in so much work to get this far.”
I know he’s right. In a few years, I’ll be so mad at myself for getting so close and not finishing.
“And then once we’re back in Clover Creek, let’s find a college that will transfer your credits so you can finish your degree—”
“This college has online classes, so that’s taken care of. But who will take care of the baby while I’m studying, Ben?”
“Me.”
“Babies are a lot of work and time. Your life is so exciting and full. This will change everything. I can’t do that to you.”
“You’re not doing anything to me.” He scrubs his hand down his face and groans. “I hate my life, Phoebe.”
I try to sit up again, worried the nachos are going to come back up if I move too fast, but I can’t lay back for this conversation.
“What do you mean? Your life is perfect—”
“My life is perfect for my brother. For your brother, even. It’s their dream, not mine. I want this life with you. Babies, a house close to where we grew up…”
My heart aches, longing for the exact things he’s saying. And he said babies. Like more than one. A future where we have a few little kids running around a kitchen island as Ben chases after them flashes in my mind and my eyes well up.
“I want that, too. But won’t you resent me?”
He runs his knuckles down the side of my face. “We created this baby. We will create this future together. What is there to resent you about?”
“I don’t know,” I whisper. “This is all so new to me and it’s hard for me to imagine this is all you want in life.”
He hesitates and my stomach drops. I knew it was too good to be true.
“There’s a building around the corner from Felicity’s diner that’s empty. I have Gwen meeting with the sellers tomorrow. I’m buying it.”
The confusion must be evident on my face, because Ben kisses my forehead and chuckles.
“Let me back up. Last time I was here, I went into this strange little building and discovered the North Grayslake historical museum. The couple running it were experts on the area and so cute. All I could think was how I wanted that to be you and me in the future if you ever wanted to move back. That was way before I knew we were having a baby.”
“So—wait. You’re not just saying these things to make me feel better?”
“No, Phoebe. My perfect future is one where you and I raise our babies in Clover Creek while I run the town’s museum, and you follow your dreams.”
“That’s my dream, too.”
He quirks his brow and I laugh.
“Well, maybe I hadn’t thought about it in those exact terms, but history is my passion. With a place like that, we could hold events and balls where other people who are interested in different time periods could get together and geek out.”
“Really?” The corner of Ben’s mouth tilts up, and he shakes his head. “I think we can make this work.”
Energy’s coursing through me as I mentally plan this future. It’s the most alive I’ve felt all week.
“Together, we really can.”
Epilogue
Phoebe
“Through here is the event room,” Gwen says, leading Ben and me down a narrow hallway.
