Page 67 of Moonstruck Kiss

Sure, we have so much more familial and friendly support here than anywhere else, but if I give up my successful, high-paying job in the financial capital of the world, what kind of work will I find here? If even my parents eschewed the traditional banks when they needed financial help, how can I have a satisfying career here?

I look around the beautiful vista, willing for inspiration to come and hit me. But it doesn’t.

Maybe it is better to part ways now—to not indulge in anything that will only cause more pain when it’s time to say goodbye.

Goodbye.

Fuck, why do I feel like I want to bawl my eyes out?

“Brax,” Joey says with a huff, still not looking at me. “Is there anything else? Because I came here for solitude and you’re wrecking the ambience.”

I can’t help my chuckle. There’s my sassy, smart-mouthed Dimple.

“I want to talk,” I say.

“Why?”

Why? What do I say to that? Should I confess I’m starting to fall for her when Iamleaving in a matter of days?

“I want us to remain friends,” I say softly. “If that’s all we can be, then I’ll take it.”

For an interminable moment, Joey doesn’t speak. Then she puts down her painting materials and leaves her seat.

I follow her to the river’s edge, restraining myself from pulling her to me and holding her tight.

“I wish we could be more than friends. But we can’t, can we?” she asks quietly as she faces me.

I inhale sharply. “If there’s a way, I’ll be the first to take it. But your life is very much here, and mine is on the other side of the world.”

She nods. “I’m sorry for avoiding you lately. I just didn’t want to…” She takes a deep breath.

“Didn’t want to what?” I prod when she doesn’t continue.

“I didn’t want to…continue with our fling because I’m starting to…” She looks away, blinking rapidly.

She doesn’t need to say the words. I know exactly what she means. “I’m starting to fall for you, too,” I whisper, the bittersweetness of the moment making my eyes sting.

Tears course down Joey’s cheeks, and I swipe them away.

“It would make things much harder if we continued,” she says in a stronger voice.

“Or we could make more memories of us together.”

Joey sniffs. “That’s very tempting, but it’s hard enough as it is. Besides, it doesn’t change the fact that you’re going back to Manhattan. Because there’s no way you’ll want to move here to Moonstruck Cove, is there?”

I find myself considering her question. Is my answer a definite no?

“My preference is still very much Manhattan. I have a very good career there, which helps a lot when I have a child to raise. But if things between us were more serious who’s to say I won’t think about it?” I tuck her hair behind her ear. “Would you consider living in New York with me and Ollie?”

Joey stares into my eyes for a long moment. “I would consider it,” she finally says, “if I’m sure of how strong our feelings are for each other—if I know that what we have is something that could last. But right now, the answer is no because we can’t be making life-changing decisions based on the short time we had together, great though it might have been.”

Sadness sits in my chest like a great big rock. “We’re just out of time, aren’t we?”

She tries to smile. “I still had a lot of fun. And you have no idea how grateful I am for our time together. Thank you. Foreverything.”

My heart twists. “I had a fantastic time, too. And I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for Ollie. I’ll be forever grateful for that.”

Her eyes well up again. “I’ll miss that boy so much.”

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