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Indecision and anxiety warred in my brain. What would I do if I didn’t move to New York? Stay at the firm in Providence, knowing that I let my boss down? Follow Tatum around the country like a groupie? Sure, there were other interior design firms in New England, but none as revered as Colette James.
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know if you want to take the job, or you don’t know what you’ll do if you don’t?”
“Both,” I whimpered, swiping a tear from my eye. “I got so caught up in the hustle that I forgot to think about what was going to make me thrive.”
With the gentlest touch, Tatum tipped my chin up and kissed me. “Promise me something.”
I rested my forehead on his. “Hm?”
“Promise me that whatever you choose, you make that choice without fear. You are capable of doing whatever the fuck you set your mind to.” Tatum wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into his chest. “And you’ve got me in your corner, watching your back, and covering your blindside.”
“I love you,” I sniffed. “I’m gonna miss you.” My heart ached at the thought of losing him for two weeks. The hurt was crippling.
We said our goodbyes and kissed for longer than his schedule allowed. As the elevator doors closed behind him, the silence grew heavy.
I grabbed my laptop and dropped down onto the stools that I’d picked out for the kitchen island. Laughing as I pulled up my email to check on a few work orders, I thought about the irony of it all. Months ago, I stood on top of the island and installed a light fixture. Tatum walked in, scared the crap out of me, and flirted. He teased me about getting my hands dirty. Not once did I imagine how things would have panned out.
An incoming email pinged as it hit my inbox. It was from Colette. Subject line: Industry Gala in Manhattan - RSVP if Interested. She had included the date—two weeks from now. The night before the championship.
Heidi had talked about making it a girls’ weekend if the Reds made it to the championship. Arizona would be heaven compared to Rhode Island this time of year. I hadn’t committed to Heidi’s offer either.
I let out a slow breath, exhaling the fear, replied to the email, then grabbed my things and headed to Warwick.
