“But I want to do this for me. I want it to be something that’s a good idea even if things don’t work out with him.”
“That makes sense,” I say. “I think that’s really smart.”
“Yeah.”
She’s quiet. I let her think for a long moment. I know from the last time we talked that she hasn’t discussed this with anyone else. I also know she came to me because she knows that I would say she should definitely go. That’s what I do.
But…now Harlow and I are together. And that changes things for me. Not that I don’t think people should still see the world outside of Sapphire Falls and try new things, but because I can’t keep these conversations from her and not feel like I’m going behind her back.
“If you don’t go, you’ll always wonder,” I finally say. “You don’t want to stay here and always be wondering if there was another path that would have been better. The thing about home, about Sapphire Falls, is that we’re always here. There will never be a time when you can’t come back.” I pause. “There’s not really a risk here. You have a huge safety net. Go. Try it. Come back if it’s not what you thought it would be.”
“There’s a risk to my heart,” she says softly.
“So it is about Graham. More than you thought.”
“Yeah.”
“Well,” I say, taking a breath. “Sounds like that risk is there no matter where you live.”
She’s quiet for a moment. Then she says, “Yeah. It is.”
“At least in Denver, you can give that a real shot. And again, you won’t be wondering ‘what if’.”
I hear her deep breath. “You’re right.”
I let a moment stretch, then I say, “Hey?”
“Yeah?”
“You have to tell Harlow. I can’t keep this just between us anymore.”
“Yeah, I know. I was planning to call her and ask her to have dinner with me tomorrow.”
I’m relieved. “Awesome. Great.”
“Maybe I’ll just stop at her place now though. I don’t want to wait.”
“Oh…uh…”
She laughs. “She’s with you?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you…busy?”
I laugh. “We just finished a movie.”
“Can I steal her for a little bit?”
She’s spending the night here tonight. She’s already a little sad and this will definitely make it worse but, she’s handling Graham and Ginny leaving. I seem to really be helping her feel better. Maybe this is the best time, actually. She can get all of this sadness over with at once.
“Of course. But call her. Invite her for dinner tonight. This is between the two of you. I shouldn’t be around.”
“Okay. I’ll do that. And…thanks.”
“Any time.”
“I’m really glad you and Harlow figured your shit out,” she says.