Page 150 of As You Wish

My heart clenched in my chest. “I . . . do.”

“Good. We just got out of our own and made our decision.”

“Okay. What was it?” My heart kicked into high gear as I asked.

I wanted to do what Alice had planned for the girls so bad, but I also wanted to stay here in Strawberry Springs.

I was torn. And in just a moment, I would know what my future held. That would change everything.

“We’ve decided to approve your request. Your daughters are welcome here in three months’ time, and we ask that whatever school you enroll them in sends us their transcripts so we can catch them up.”

“The school I sent them to will follow yours, but I’ll send that along as well.”

“Interesting. Will they be attending private school there in Tennessee?”

“No, public.”

“Really? Color me surprised. When they join, we’ll still test them to make sure that they’re up to our standards. I’m so excited for you guys to move back.”

“Uh, yeah. Thank you.”

Director Smith said his goodbyes and hung up. I couldn’t help the groan that escaped me when it was over.

Whatever hope I had for staying in Strawberry Springs vanished. Alice wanted this, and I owed it to her to try to make it happen. When my apartment was finished, I would be going back to San Francisco.

After a moment, I looked in the direction of Jade’s apartment. She was right to walk away. If we both jumped into this with no regard for the future, we would only get hurt.

It would end the exact same way it had all those years ago.

My time in Strawberry Springs was temporary. I would have to enjoy it the best I could before going back home.

I’d been right to get some distance from Jade. Now that I had my answer, it was for the best.

I just had to keep my promise, even when she was in front of me.

That was always the hardest part.