Page 126 of Make Her Mine

I also find out that she leaves in two weeks.

Actually twelve days.

We walk out to our cars together and she gives me a hug.

“I’m so relieved that you know. I was so nervous to tell you. “

I do hate that she felt scared about telling me something she is clearly very excited about. “I’m really proud of you. I know this is a big deal. I’m glad you’re excited.”

She gives me a small smile. “You’re going to miss me. I’m going to miss you too. It makes this easier knowing that you’re with Jefferson.”

Right. I am with Jefferson. The guy who keeps making people I love leave me.

But I smile back at her. “Now I have two reasons to come visit Denver. And it makes me feel better that you’re not going to be there alone. Graham will help you get settled. I’m sure. He’s probably thrilled.” I frown. “Wait, Graham doesn’t know?”

“No,” she says. “I want to get there, and get settled, and start the job. I don’t want him to think that I moved for him or that I’m stalking him or expect anything. I’ll let him know once I’m there. And we can see how it goes.”

I do have to laugh at that. “He’s crazy about you, Margot. He’s going to be thrilled.”

She ducks her head a little shyly. “I hope so. But this move is a big deal for me. I don’t want to make it just about him.”

“I understand.” I give her another hug. “I’m going to try not to meddle and I’ll try not to spill your news to him before you do.”

She pulls back and gives me a serious look. “Graham and I talked about our relationship and you. We don’t need to talk about each other with you. You’re too close to both of us. That’s a little awkward.”

I sigh. “I hear you.”

“I guess you’re just going to have to talk about us with Jefferson.”

I don’t say anything to that. But yeah…I have a few things to talk to Jefferson about.

Once I’m in my car, I decide I need to take a drive and think things over.

I need to figure out where I stand on a few things before I go home to Jefferson and yell at him about…

I sigh as I start my car. I don’t even know what I’d yell about.

This is Jefferson. And me. This is how it’s always going to be.

I drive up to Klein’s Hill, the tall hill south of town where the entire village can be seen spread out with the warm lights glowing. It’s a popular spot and it’s a rite of passage for all teenagers in Sapphire Falls to make out up on this hill.

Thankfully, on a Sunday night, I’m the only one here.

I park my car, get out, and climb up on the hood. I look out over the town I love so very much. The town where I’ve spent my life. Where I intend to spend the rest of it.

But I’m in love with Jefferson.

And I know that if I spend that life with him here, he is going to really piss me off sometimes.

Okay, I spend that life with him anywhere, he is going to really piss me off sometimes.

I blow out a breath.

If I think I miss Alex, and that I’m upset and sad after Ginny and Graham leave, at the thought of Margot leaving, I can’t imagine how I’m going to feel when our children leave Sapphire Falls to go out and see the world. And how I’ll feel when they become amazing whatever-they’re-going-to-be somewhere else, far from here. How I’ll feel every Leaving Day.

Especially knowing that Jefferson encouraged them to go.

How am I going to handle that?

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