Page 230 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

I trace my thumb around the rim. "You really didn't make this easy," I whisper. The mug disappears into a box marked Kitchen.

A few minutes later my phone lights up.

Keisha Calling

I hesitate before answering.

"Hey."

"You've been crying."

It's not a question. "I'm okay."

"Liar."

I close my eyes. "I listened to the voicemail."

Silence.

Then—

"And?"

"He told me he loves me."

A delighted gasp escapes her.

"Annette!"

"I love him too."

Another silence, this one much heavier.

"What aren't you telling me?"

I swallow hard. "I'm leaving tomorrow."

"What?"

"My clinical placement is almost finished. Dr. Reynolds already knew I'd be leaving. I moved my departure up a few days."

"Because Jamie said he loves you?"

"I'm leaving because he deserves the future that he's worked his whole life to build."

"He just told you you're part of that future."

"I can't ask him to choose."

"You aren't asking."

"I would be."

"Annette..." Her voice softens.

"Did Jamie say loving you would cost him his career?"

"No."