Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
“Hey,” I said, stepping back to let him in. “Is there another epic snow battle on the horizon? Am I being drafted?”
He laughed. “Not today, but you’re on my list for next time.” He stepped inside, shaking snow from his jacket, and held up a thermos. “I’m here to deliver you some cocoa my mom said you liked and to issue an invitation. We’re having Christmas at the lodge—the whole extended Marian clan, plus anyone we’ve adopted along the way. Once my mother heard about you possibly being alone on Christmas, that was it. She said you’re part of the family, whether you like it or not. I’m afraid now it’s a command performance.”
The words hit me harder than they should have. Part of the family. I’d heard similar phrases my whole life, but they’d always felt hollow, obligatory. This felt different. Real.
“That’s really nice of her,” I managed. “I’d love to come, assuming I’m still in town.”
Tommy tilted his head, something shifting in his expression. “Assuming?”
I shrugged, trying for casual. “You know how it is with work. Things come up.”
“Everything okay?” The question was gentle, with that particular tone medical professionals seemed to master—genuinely concerned but not pushy.
I found myself hesitating. I hadn’t talked to anyone about the Solenne offer except Vic. But there was something about Tommy’s presence that made me want to unload the weight I’d been carrying.
“You want to stick around for a coffee or maybe some of that cocoa?” I asked. “I could use some advice.”
He didn’t answer but handed me the thermos and immediately moved to the hooks by the door to remove his coat. When he returned to the kitchen, he took two mugs from the coffee station and poured us each a cup.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
“It’s kind of a work situation,” I admitted, curling my hands around my mug. The cocoa was still hot, and the warmth was comforting. “Got offered this huge opportunity, but the timing is… complicated.”
Tommy settled his ass against the counter and crossed his arms, giving me his full attention. “I happen to have recent relevant experience about this. Tell me more.”
“It’s a global brand ambassador position,” I found myself saying. “Everything I’ve worked toward for the past five years. Financial security, international recognition, the works. My business manager’s been calling nonstop because they need an answer by Friday.”
“Sounds like a dream opportunity,” Tommy said carefully. “What’s making it complicated?”
I ran a hand through my hair, surprised by how much I wanted to tell him. “It would mean leaving Legacy. Like, immediately. Flying to Paris next week for the launch campaign, then living out of hotels for the next year while I travel the world creating content for the brand.”
“Mmhm.” His face softened in understanding. “And there’s something here you’d be leaving behind.”
“Someone,” I corrected quietly, even though I could tell by the look on his face he knew. “Maddox and I… I don’t know what we are exactly, but it’s the most real thing I’ve felt in years. And Maya, and this whole town that’s somehow started to feel like home.” I laughed, but it came out shaky. “I know that sounds crazy. I’ve been here for what, less than three weeks?”
“It doesn’t sound crazy at all,” Tommy said gently. “Sometimes you just know when something fits.”
“But this opportunity…” I gestured at my phone. “It’s everything I thought I wanted. My manager keeps saying this is what we worked so hard for, and he’s not wrong.”
Tommy was quiet for a moment, and I could see him weighing his words. “Is this what you worked so hard for, or what your manager worked so hard for?” His voice was careful, nonjudgmental. “Because sometimes those things aren’t the same.”
The question hit me like a punch to the gut. I opened my mouth to say of course it was what I wanted, but the words wouldn’t come.
“I had a similar choice just a few months ago,” Tommy continued when I didn’t answer. “Stay in New York, following a career track that looked perfect on paper, or try something different, something unexpected. I struggled with the idea that I was giving up everything I’d worked so hard for, so I know exactly how you feel.”
“What did you do?”
“I came here on my way to my ‘something different’ and found something even more different… but so fucking perfect.” His smile was soft, certain. “Best decision I ever made, even though it scared the hell out of me at the time.”
I stared at him, something loosening in my chest. “Do you ever regret it?”
“Never. But I realized something important—I’d been making ‘smart’ decisions that were making me miserable. Following a preconceived script for what my life should look like instead of asking what would actually make me happy and allowing that idea of what a happy life looked like to change.”