Page 102 of Sex, Lies, and Margarita Mixes

“Knox and I talked about it. The show is established now, there’s not a lot to do when we’re not shooting in LA. Not that I can’t do from here anyway. I can run our socials from anywhere. Our classes are already here. Melody is deserving of a promotion, and I think we can hire more staff now, too, to help with the events,” she replies. “You’ve been carrying this company solo for too long. Maybe this is the push we both needed. And instead of thinking about it in terms of losing something, why not think about it as gaining? Austin is a huge ass city and there’s a whole lot of money there. Plus, we have some connections… I think an expansion might be in order… if that’s something you’re interested in.”

I go quiet.

Can it really be that simple?

“You’re not abandoning it, Rox,” she says gently. “This is growth. And it’s time.”

I blink back tears. “You really think we can do that, Mari Lynn?”

“For you? For us? Always.”

God, I love her.

It’s dark when I pull into the lot. Chase is sitting on the truck roof again, looking at the lights of the city.

He tenses when I climb up beside him. He’s quiet, just… waiting.

Settling next to him, I lean my head on his shoulder.

“I—I’m scared,” I whisper.

“Me too,” he admits taking my hand and setting both on his thigh.

“I don’t know if I’m strong enough.”

He kisses my hair. “You are. I believe in you, Rox. I believe in us.”

I smile faintly and turn my head, staring at his profile. “I’ll go with you.”

He exhales shakily, his fingers tightening around mine. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” I kiss his jaw. “We’re gonna figure it out.”

He exhales and lightly kisses my lips. “We always do, Roxy.”

Under the blanket of city lights, I finally let myself believe it.

We’re not starting over.

We’re just starting the next chapter.

Together.

CHAPTER 26

THE EDGE OF FOREVER

ROXY

* * *

Chase loads the last cooler into the truck, securing it with a bungee cord. I stand on the curb, coffee in hand, watching him double-check every latch, every hinge, every strap. He’s meticulous, methodical, quietly buzzing with that mix of excitement and nerves that always makes him even softer, even steadier.

“Ready?” he asks, turning toward me.

I nod. “Ready.”

He crosses the parking lot, cups my face in his hands, presses his forehead to mine. “Last chance to change your mind.”

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