My stomach growled, reminding me I hadn’t eaten.
She thought about it for a few seconds before she said, “Let’s say by December. That gives you time to finish renovating the apartment and get rid of inventory.”
That was only a few months away.
“In the meantime, you can sign up for that class and see if it’s for you. If it’s not, and you want to keep the store open, we’ll discuss it.”
My mind was reeling. I barely registered Nana pressing a couple of wrapped sandwiches into my hand.
“It’s time for my nap.”
That was our cue to leave.
Jake kissed her cheek, then placed a hand on my elbow to steer me outside.
I barely remembered to grab my purse on the way out. The sun was bright when I would have preferred an overcast day.
“Are you okay?” Jake asked when we stood in front of my car.
I licked my lips. “I’m not sure.”
Jake nodded like he understood what was going through my mind. “I think this will be good.”
I threw my hands in the air. “How can it be good? This was their dream.”
“And they lived it. Now it’s time for you to live yours.” He ran a hand through his hair. “For a long time, I thought you were content at the store, but now I can see you weren’t. You probably haven’t been for a while. I was so caught up in opening the garage and getting Ryan to move out here, I didn’t pay close attention.”
I rested a hand on his arm. “This isn’t your fault. I don’t even know what I want.”
His lips were set into a stubborn line. “This is your chance to find out.”
Since I’d come to live with Nana, I’d done everything to stay in this town and be close to her. The one person who took me in, who cared for me. Doing something else was scary. Now that I didn’t have the pressure to stay at the store, it opened a whole new world to me.
“The class is just one small step.”
I enjoyed school when I was younger, but the thought of taking that first step and signing up for the class was scary, yet still exciting.
Jake pulled me in for a familiar hug, the kind that always grounded me. Even in high school, he wasn’t too cool to comfort his sister. It’s what made him the best big brother.
“Thank you for understanding.”
“It was easier if you worked at the store, and maybe both Nana and I overlooked what you wanted.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong. I wanted to work there,” I was quick to reassure him. I hated that Jake took the weight of the family on his shoulders. It wasn’t his to bear anymore.
He grunted as if he didn’t quite believe it.
I pulled away. “Will I see you at the barbecue?”
Jake shook his head. “Ryan’s going, but I’m tired. I’m going to work out and then crash.”
Him saying Ryan’s name sent guilt coursing through me. Jake would hate that we’d gone behind his back and hooked up. Even if it was a one-time thing.
On the other hand, I was relieved Jake wasn’t going to be there. Despite my guilt, I wanted to see Ryan again. I don’t know what that said about me.
I wasn’t sure what to expect after the way we’d left things yesterday morning. But I was hopeful.
ChapterFourteen