Page 23 of Summer with a Navy SEAL

I stand up, pacing the length of the deck. “It’s just sosudden, Bryce. I haven’t even had time to process finishing up here and now you want me to jump into another project across the country?”

“I know it’s a lot, Willy. But think about what this could mean for your career. Leading a project of this scale? It’ll open doors you can’t even imagine right now.”

He’s right, and I know it. This is the kind of opportunity I’ve been dreaming of. But why does it have to come now, just when things with Brogan are...

I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I can’t let personal feelings interfere with my professional goals. I’ve worked too hard, come too far.

I take a deep breath. I'd be a fool to let this opportunity go. “Okay, I’ll do it.”

“That’s my girl!” Bryce’s enthusiasm is palpable. “I’ll have my assistant email you the flight details. We’ll see you in New York this evening.”

As I hang up, I sink back into the chair, my head in my hands.

“Willy?”

I look up to see Brogan standing by the glass doors, his hair mussed from sleep, concern etched on his face.

“Is everything okay?”

I force a smile, but it feels brittle. “Everything’s great. That was my boss. I... I’ve been offered a huge opportunity.”

Brogan’s face lights up. “Willy, that’s amazing! Congratulations!”

“Thank you,” I say, my voice catching. “It’s in Washington State. I have to leave today.”

The smile fades from his face, replaced by something I can’t quite read. “Today?”

I nod, unable to meet his eyes. “I have to drive back to New York to prep, then fly out to Washington.”

Brogan is quiet for a long moment. When he finally speaks, his voice is soft. “This is what you’ve been working for, isn’t it?”

I nod. “Yes. It’s a huge step up… not that this place wasn’t. But this one’s a full-on project that’s slated to last for a few months and I’d be leading it.”

He smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Then you have to do it. This is your chance.”

I step closer to him, my heart pounding. This is the expiration date I’d been thinking about, not the charade but the real thing. “Brogan, I...”

He pulls me into his arms, cutting off my words. “I’m proud of you, Willy. You deserve this. Come here.”

As he pulls me to him, I bury my face in his chest, inhaling his familiar scent. I can’t help but wonder if I’m making the right choice. Being with Brogan felt so right, so natural. But I also know, deep down, that I can’t pass up this opportunity. No matter how much it hurts to walk away from whatever this is between us.

“Thank you,” I whisper against his skin.

Brogan holds me tighter, and for a moment, I let myself imagine a world where I could have my dream career and this man who’s unexpectedly stolen my heart. But as the waves crash against the shore, I know I have to choose.

And my choice has already been made.

I grip the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles turning white as I force myself to keep driving. In the rearview mirror, Brogan’s figure grows smaller and smaller. The lump in my throat threatens to choke me.

Before I realize it, I’m pulling up in front of Crystal’s shop. I need to at least say goodbye to my best friend.

The bell above the door chimes as I enter. Crystal looks up, her smile fading as she takes in my expression.

“Willy? What’s wrong?”

I open my mouth to speak, but no words come out. Instead, I burst into tears.

Crystal rushes around the counter, enveloping me in a hug. “Oh, honey. What happened?”

---