Page 155 of All We Need

“No, seriously, what’s wrong?”Myfeet don’t stop moving.

“Sweetheart,” my mom says sweetly. “HowdoIsay this nicely?You’re?—”

“You’re pissing us off!”Florenceinterjects, earning a scowl from our mother. “What?Heis.Sitdown,Boothy, you’re making me uncomfortable.”

I slump onto a chair and throw my hands up in exasperation, about to argue, whenPatrickandJohannaflounce in like they have all the time in the world. “Finally!Whattook you so long?”

Pat glances down at his watch. “We’rethree minutes late.”Heeyes our friends and family around the table. “Thislooks cozy.”

Jo offers me a sympathetic smile as everyone chats among themselves and takes the empty seat next to me.Shesqueezes my forearm. “Howare you doing?”

Pushing down my anxiety,Imanage a weak smile. “I’mokay.Ithink.Ijust need to get this over with.”

She nods in understanding. “Iget that.”Sheshoves her index and thumb in her mouth and whistles loudly, silencing the room. “Boothhas something he’d like to say!”

All eyes flick to me.

“Right.Thanksfor that,”Imutter sarcastically, then clear my throat.Myfingers tap on the table, reciting the speechI’vepracticed all morning over in my head before swallowing down my nerves. “Iwant…umm.Iwa—shit.”

My voice cracks, throat closing over.Fuck,Ican’t do it.Ican’t let them down.Whitespots flash in my vision asIpress the heels of my hands into my eyes.

There’s a light tap on my shoulder andIglimpse up to findJosmiling at me. “Youhave my blessing to be selfish.”

“W-what?”Mystomach drops to the soles of my feet.

“And mine.”Myhead whips towardPatrick, his deep voice assured and clear. “You’vealways had my blessing andI’llbe proud of you no matter what you decide.”

“You already know my vote,”Grahamsays. “Youdeserve this.”

“Ditto.Wewant you to be happy.”Quinnbeams over at me. “JustpromiseIcan come play in your fancy new kitchen.”

“I can’t wait to visit you at this swanky new restaurant,”Georgeexclaims.

Dex points at me with a serious look. “Booth, if you don’t take this opportunity,Iwill make your life hell.”There’sa lot of cheer to his threat.

Florence sniffs, and at the tears shining in my little sister’s eyes, my resolve is close to snapping. “Honestly?I’llmiss you like crazy, butIwill haunt you until the end of time if you turn this down.”

I’m overwhelmed by the wave of support and love, striking me at all angles.

It’s my mom’s wet lashes and the way she clutchesPatrick’shand tightly that makes me worryI’mabout to make the wrong decision.

“BoothEliasSadler,” she begins, andIprepare myself. “Ihave loved you since the day they placed you in my arms.Ihave loved you through every cut, scrape, and graze.Ihave loved you through your darkest hours.”Shereaches across the table until our fingertips brush. “AndIwill love you when you’re living your dream inNewYork.Orhalfway across the world.Whereveryou are, we willalllove and support you.”Whena tear rolls down her cheek, disappearing into the smile lines around her mouth,Iabout lose it. “Ifyour father were heretoday, he would be the loudest of us all, cheering you on every step of the way.”

It’s useless.Absolutelyfucking useless keeping it together when my family has robbed me of my words and bombarded me with their blessings.Oneafter the other.

“Fuck.”Iswipe at my cheeks. “Myspeech was really good too.”

“Yeah, but we’re sick of hearing your voice.”Patrickchuckles.

“Fucker.”Ilaugh through the tears.Breathingdeeply,Iscan everyone’s faces. “Youall know about the job inNewYorkthen?”

They all nod.

I scrub a hand down my face. “Youdon’t know what it means to have you all backing me.I…Iwas worried you’d all be disappointed or feelIwas betraying the restaurant.”

“Booth,” my mom whispers. “Yourlife might have started here, but it doesn’t have to end here.Citylife will suit you.”Shelevels me with a serious look. “Butbefore anything else, you owe a certain lady an apology.”

Twenty-seven, andIstill shit my pants whenever my mom berates me.

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