Emma didn’t want to admit it, but she was afraid Jules was setting herself up for heartbreak, just like she had.
“We’re almost there. You don’t need to look so worried.” Marley patted her back between sips of her drink. “I’m sure it’ll all work out.”
“I’m not worried about what the eclipse will reveal. I actually just want to get it over with.”
Marley tilted her head to the side, and they drew to a stop in front of the large Christmas tree, twinkling with hundreds of brightly colored lights. “What are you worried about?”
“I think Kyle is going to propose to Jules.”
Marley did a little shimmy, and her hands flew to her mouth. “Oh, that’s wonderful. Wait, how did you know? Did he ask for your permission or something?”
Emma shook her head. “He didn’t have to. I recognize that look in his eyes. It’s the same one Andrew had before he proposed.”
Marley’s smile slipped as she studied Emma thoughtfully. “You don’t sound too happy about it. I thought you liked Kyle.”
“I think Kyle is great, but Jules is still young, and she has a year of college left. With him needing to travel so much, how are they going to make it work?”
How were they supposed to be together without compromising one or both of their futures?
At least until Jules graduated.
Try as she might, Emma couldn’t picture any scenario where they both ended up with what they wanted.
“That’s the city cynic in you talking.” Marley waved her comment away and smiled. “I’m sure they’ll find a way to make it work. Kyle could go to less dig sites until Jules graduates, and she could join him whenever she’s got time off.”
Emma frowned and stared down at her drink. “I suppose.”
“Is this really you being worried about how they’ll make it work, or are you scared Jules is going to leave you alone in the city?”
Emma glanced up sharply. “I don’t mind being alone in the city.”
Marley raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure about that?”
Emma cleared her throat and looked away. “Jules already lives on campus, and I’ve got work to fill up my time, so it wouldn’t be that different.”
“Except it would. Jules wouldn’t be spending most of her free time with you,” Marley said softly. “I know that’s hard to wrap your head around, but I think that’s what’s really scaring you.”
Emma opened her mouth to protest, but no words came.
She didn’t want Marley to be right, not about this.
But a part of her ached at the future Marley was painting, at the thought of watching as Jules spread her wings to soar while leaving Emma behind.
Emma hated feeling stuck, and being left in the city was no exception.
Without Andrew there, and the prospect of Jules leaving looming ever closer, the thought of returning to Boston wasn’t as appealing as it once was.
The hustle and bustle of the city couldn’t make up for their absence.
Maybe Rockport wouldn’t be so bad, after all. At least you’d have your parents, Marley…and Jack, of course.
Except she’d barely looked at Jack since her father’s admittance to the hospital.
The few times she’d seen him since then, she hadn’t been able to bring herself to talk to him, to clear the air after the dance, and she couldn’t tell if it was a good or a bad thing. At night, she tossed and turned, replaying their passionate kiss on a loop and trying to figure out what happened next.
Spending an hour in close proximity to him but not being able to talk things out had been torture.
In the harsh light of day, Emma was forced to confront the truth.
