Built To Last

“What can I do for you, Dr. Taylor?”

“The schedule is empty for the rest of the day.”

“I know. We had a couple folks reschedule. I think the beautiful weather is keeping people outdoors.” On days like today, with the sun shining in the clear blue sky and the temperature a perfect seventy-five degrees, the call of her dreams was especially loud. But she had been putting the call on mute since not long after she met Jake. But riding with her top down today, the wind blowing in her hair, made her yearn for what she had dreamed of. And reminded her that she had put off reaching for those dreams. Maybe for too long.

“Hmm. Outdoors. What a great idea. How about we close up early and head home for the day? I know Abby has a honey-do list for me a mile long.”

“Sounds great. I’ll wrap up some of the filing and then we’ll close down for the day. Tell Abby I said hello.”

“I will.”

An afternoon off. Erin didn’t know what to do with herself. For the first time in two weeks, she didn’t have plans with Jake.

He had something else to do.

The whirlwind start to their relationship had changed, but not in the way she expected. She had tried to step back, afraid of his feelings and of the feelings she had for him. But he hadn’t let her pull away. Instead, he turned on the charm.

On more than one occasion, she had flowers sitting on her desk when she came to work. Her favorite—lilies—although how he knew that was still a mystery. He texted her each morning when she woke up, and again before her head hit the pillow. They’d had several dates to some of her favorite restaurants, and they had gotten to know each other, what made each of them tick, a lot better.

Except for the one elephant in the room—her plans to leave.

Jake had poured his heart out to her, his dreams for a family, and how Lindsay had trampled on them when she left. After that, there was never a good time to discuss Erin’s plans.

How could she break his heart by basically telling him she was exactly the same as Lindsay?

Just last night, they’d grabbed sandwiches and tossed a blanket on the beach. With their arms around

each other, they watched the sun sink into the deep blue sea as the gentle strains of an acoustic guitar wafted through the air.

It was incredibly romantic… and left her more confused than ever.

Each day, she opened her desk drawer and pulled out her resignation letter. Stared at it. Twice she had picked up a pen, ready to sign and give it to Austin. But each time, she hesitated. Her feelings for Jake had gotten all tangled up in her obligation to her family.

So many thoughts and feelings swirled through her head the she didn’t know what she wanted anymore. She had strong feelings for Jake, stronger than she’d ever felt for anyone before.

He cared for her, too. She saw it in his eyes, the affection shining back each time he looked at her. But did he sense her conflict? Did he see her struggling to reconcile her growing feelings for him with her desire to have the adventure she’d always dreamed of? Is that why he hadn’t discussed how he felt with her yet?

She pulled the letter that would change the direction of her life out of her desk drawer, staring at the words that had come so easily. And then the words on the page grew fuzzy. A tear fell onto the page, smearing the printed words she’d so painfully typed just a few weeks ago.

“Are you okay?” Austin’s voice rang out from behind her.

She shoved the letter back into her drawer and swiped at her eyes. “Yeah, sure, fine.”

“You seemed a million miles away. Is everything okay?”

“Sure.”

Austin propped on the edge of her desk like he intended on hanging around until he got the information he was angling for. “How are things with Jake?”

“Good.”

“Abby said she ran into him last week and he looked over the moon. Her words, not mine. I’m so happy for both of you.”

“Thanks, Austin.” Before he could continue to probe her relationship, she jumped to her feet. “I’ve wrapped up everything I needed to and set the voice mail to take calls. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

With a few keystrokes, her computer was shut down. She grabbed her purse and hurried out the door, Austin’s laughter trailing behind her. She’d dodged that bullet. She wasn’t ready to discuss her potential resignation or her relationship woes with her boss.

Not yet.