Page 36 of Beanful Wishes

"But what about us?" she asks, her voice small. "What about the Wishing Wall, the festival, all our plans?"

I squeeze her hand, forcing a smile. "The Wishing Wall will still be here. And as for us... we'll figure it out. This is your chance to make a real difference, Sophia. On a national scale."

Tears well in her eyes. "I don't want to leave you, Jake. Or any of this. The Wishing Wall... It's changed my life. You've changed my life."

"And you've changed mine," I say. "Which is why I can't let you give up this opportunity. Not for me, not for anything."

We stand there in silence for a moment, the weight of the situation settling over us. Finally, Sophia speaks again, her voice barely above a whisper.

"What if I don't take it?"

I shake my head, cupping her face gently. "Then you'd always wonder 'what if.' I grew up watching my mom sacrifice everything for our family. I won't let you make that kind of sacrifice for me."

A tear slips down her cheek, and I brush it away with my thumb. "We'll make it work," I promise, trying to convince myself as much as her. "Whatever happens, we'll figure it out together."

Sophia nods, leaning into my touch. "I love you, Jake," she says softly, the words both a balm and a knife to my heart.

"I love you too," I reply, pulling her into a tight embrace.

Chapter Sixteen

Sophia

The bustling energy of New York City pulses around me as I make my way through the crowded streets of Midtown Manhattan. The towering skyscrapers loom overhead, a stark contrast to the quaint charm of downtown Wilmington. I clutch my portfolio tighter, both excited and nervous about the interview awaiting me at the network's headquarters.

Stepping into the sleek, modern lobby, I feel a twinge of nostalgia for the warm, cozy atmosphere of Coffee Loft. I push the thought aside, straightening my blazer and putting on my most confident smile as I approach the receptionist.

The interview flies by in a whirlwind of questions, pitches, and discussions about the future of journalism. Before I know it, I'm shaking hands with the news director, her words echoing in my ears.

"We'd be thrilled to have you join our team, Sophia. The position is yours if you want it."

I blink, momentarily stunned. "I... Thank you. This is incredible."

As I leave the building, my mind races. This is everything I've ever dreamed of—a junior correspondent position with a majornetwork, the chance to cover national and international stories, to make a real difference on a grand scale. It's the opportunity of a lifetime.

So why does my heart feel so heavy?

I find a quiet corner in a nearby park, pulling out my phone. My finger hovers over Jake's name for a moment before I hit call. He answers on the second ring.

"Sophia? How did it go?"

The sound of his voice, warm and familiar, brings a lump to my throat. "They offered me the job," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

There's a pause on the other end of the line. When Jake speaks again, his voice is filled with genuine happiness, though I can detect an underlying tension. "That's amazing. I'm so proud of you. I knew you'd knock their socks off."

"Thanks, Jake," I reply, forcing enthusiasm into my voice. "It's... It's a dream come true."

We chat for a few more minutes, Jake asking about the details of the job, me inquiring about the festival preparations. But there's an elephant in the room that neither of us wants to address.

"Listen," Jake says finally, "we should talk more when you get back. Really figure things out."

I nod, forgetting for a moment that he can't see me. "Yeah, you're right. I'll be back tomorrow evening. Maybe we can meet at Coffee Loft?"

"Sounds perfect," he agrees. "I love you, Sophia."

"I love you too," I whisper, ending the call.

As I make my way back to my hotel, the excitement of the job offer battles with the ache in my chest. The city around me buzzes with life and opportunity, but all I can think about is the quiet charm of Wilmington, the warmth of Coffee Loft, and Jake's smile.

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