Page 53 of SEAL's Doorstep Baby
“Goaway,Jacob.” She sobs.
I step away from the door, even though my instincts are screaming for me to tear it down.
Then I see it—
Allison’s computer, still open on an email that in big bold font says one thing:Congratulations.
I sink into her chair, my heart following the motion.
The email is from NYU. I don’t need to read more to know what it means.
And I know that everything is about to change.
When Allison comes out of the bathroom half an hour later, I’ve already made up my mind.
Allie has put her life on hold long enough.
I don’t look up. I can’t see her face and still say what I need to say.
“I think you should take the job.”
Saying it out loud feels like firing a bullet into my own heart, but I know it is the best thing for her. She should live her life to the maximum and experience everything—not spend the best years of her life playing house.
“So you want me to leave? After everything?” She asks, nose flaring in anger.
I want to run a hand over my face in exhaustion, but I let out a heavy breath in its place. “I don’t want you to leave. Listen to me… I want you to live and experience Times Square, the farmer’s market, Broadway, hell, rude locals! Every other thing New York has to offer, Allie. Because you deserve more than giving all of that up so you can play godmother.”
Her eyes are red-rimmed, and her lips are trembling. My heart breaks to not go to her.
“But it’s my choice, isn’t it? I get to decide if what I want to do is spend the rest of my life here.”
“Yes it is all your choice, but baby, I don’t want that for you.”
Her eyes fill with tears again. She takes a small step forward. “What’s so bad about it? What’s so bad about being here with you and Maddie?”
I wish I was holding her. I wish I was kissing her. “Not a single thing.”
Her eyes search my face. For a moment, I almost give in and say, forget it—delete the email. But then her eyes flicker to the computer and what’s on her face… It’s pure longing.
She glances back at me. “Is this about Naomi?” Her voice is soft but edged with something sharp. “I heard you tell her that she’ll always be your first love.”
That’s it. That’s how I get her to leave.
I am not considering getting back together with Naomi for a single moment, but if that's what will have Allison leave to chase her dream, then I’ll sell it to her as convincingly as I can. Even if it tears me apart.
“Think about it for a second, Allison. There’s you, single, and full of so much potential that is hard to keep track of, and there is a chance for you to leave here and do something wonderful with your life. Don’t throw it away for me.”
“I’m not doing it for you. I’m doing it for me and for Maddie.”
I know my next words will twist the knife, but I still say them. “You’re just her godmother Allison. You’re not even related to her. And, let’s be honest, if you leave and another person—it could be Naomi for goodness sake—raises Maddie until she is three, do you think she’ll even remember what you look like?”
She doesn’t have a reply for me, and I see the unshed tears in her eyes.
Please don’t cry, baby!I pray.
“You know I’m telling the truth. Emily left Maddie tome.She’s my life. She doesn’t have to be yours. There is a chance now to do something truly important. Take it.”
She doesn’t spare a single glance my way as she packs a single bag worth of clothes, and when she walks through the door, I feel a big part of my heart break off and leave with her.
