Page 107 of Hoax and Kisses
Plans change. There is more than one way.
“What would happen to Emile’s land if the hotel wasn’t built?” I ask as we continue our climb.
“Not sure,” Matt shrugs. “I haven’t heard anything about other projects. Yours is the talk of the town.”
My heart pounds in my throat. Words dance on my tongue. Words that have only ever lived in my head, exploring an idea I’ve never given more than ten seconds before I came here. Lately, though, they’ve been all I fixate on. They worm their way in without my permission, especially when I find myself dreaming about another life.
“Hypothetically,” I say, my voice reedy, “what would you think about me going back to school?”
He arches a brow, assessing me.
I glance away, unable to bear his scrutiny, keeping my focus fixed on the kids trotting in front of us.
“Hypothetically… I think you can do whatever you set your mind to. If you want to go back to school, then that’s what you should do.”
At thirty-two. After spending most of my career forcing myself to fit the mold my dad shaped for me. Gosh, I feel so stupid for never standing up for myself.
“What about the hotel?” he says, cutting into my thoughts. “And your dad?”
“I don’t want to give up on the project,” I reply. “I still believe it’d benefit the town and especially the small businesses that would be affiliated. But after the assembly vote this weekend, if it’s secured…” I sigh. “I’m not…”
“You’re not sure you want to take your father’s place,” Matt finishes for me.
I nod, startled when his hand brushes mine.
“It’s okay, Zoé.” He laces our fingers. “You’re allowed to want something different. To change your mind. To grow.”
The climb is getting steeper, our breathing picking up, and the kids are slowing down.
“Come on, guys,” Carl shouts from the front of our group. “We’re almost there.”
“Am I?” I ask, the words barely audible. “It’s always been my father’s plan to give me the reins, and he’s been wanting to retire for years. I pushed and pushed the deadline until I had no choice but to tell him I was ready.”
Matt jogs a couple of feet ahead and helps a girl with pigtails climb a rock in the middle of the path. When I reach him, he holds out his hand. I take it.
“If your father planned his whole retirement around the promise that you’d take over his company,” he says, helping me up, “then he’s a worse businessman than I thought.”
He has the good sense not to addAnd I already had a pretty low opinion of him.
I give him a look and he smirks.
“What I mean is, I can’t imagine he’d put all his eggs in your basket. He must have a backup plan. But even if he doesn’t, this isyourfuture, Zoé. Not his. You didn’t choose any of this. If you said no, the company would be fine.”
My stomach flips. He’s right, but… “I doubt he would ever speak to me again if I gave up now.”
Matt scoffs, his fingers tightening around mine. “If that’s all it takes for him to shut his own daughter out, then I’m sorry, beautiful, but he doesn’t deserve to have you in his life.” He shakes his head. “It’s a fucking privilege to get to share this life with you.” That last part is muttered, but I hear the words perfectly, and my pulse spikes.
In front of us, the kids start shouting.
“We’re here!”
“Oh my god, is that my house? It’s so tiny from here.”
“Matt, come and see!”
“I’ll be right there,” he calls back.
We climb the few feet left separating us from the rest of the group, and once we’re at the top, the sight comes into focus, stealing the air from my lungs.
