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“You’re reviewing the same page you were staring at when I checked an hour ago.” She sits across from me, setting the coffee between us. “Talk to me.”

“What if they offer her something amazing?” The words tumble out before I can stop them. “What if this is her chance to do something truly revolutionary?”

“Then you’ll support her. Because that’s what you do. You make each other better.” She squeezes my hand. “But maybe wait to hear what the offer is before you start planning long-distance relationship strategies?”

“I’m not—” I start to protest, then sigh. “Fine. Maybe I am. But I have to be prepared, Sophie. For whatever she decides.”

“Lucas,” Sophie’s voice softens, “I’ve watched you two together for years. Even before you admitted your feelings. Emma doesn’t make decisions based on what’s expected or what looks impressive on paper—she follows her passion. That’s why she turned down Brighton’s offer, remember? She believed in what you were building together.”

“This is different. This is Goldman Sachs. International reach, unlimited resources—”

“And a corporate culture that would probably drive her crazy within a month,” Sophie interrupts. “When have you ever known Emma to care about prestige over purpose? She organizes everything by meaning and connection, Lucas. She turned down Brighton because their approach was soulless, not because of you.”

Her words land with unexpected weight. Sophie has always understood Emma in ways I sometimes don’t—the bond of friendship giving her insights I’m still discovering.

“I just don’t want to be the reason she stays if leaving is what’s best for her.”

“That’s for her to decide,” Sophie reminds me. “Trust her to know what she wants.”

I nod, though the anxious feeling doesn’t completely subside. “I’m trying.”

“Lucas,” Sophie’s voice softens as she continues, “remember when you came back from New York? How you said nothing there felt real without her? That works both ways. Just because Goldman Sachs is offering doesn’t mean it’s what she wants.”

“But what if it is? What if staying here, with me, means she’s settling for less than she deserves?”

“Then that’s a conversation you two have together. But you’re getting ahead of yourself. Let her tell you about the lunch first.”

***

At three-fifteen, Emma appears in my doorway. Her expression is complex—a mixture of emotions I can’t quite decipher. She’s holding a folder that can only be from Goldman Sachs, the sleek logo visible even from across the room.

“Lucas...”

I stand immediately, my heart pounding. The folder in her hands might as well be glowing with possibility or threat. She closes the door and perches on the edge of my desk.

There’s a moment of heavy silence. My hand finds hers automatically, needing the connection. Everything we’ve built together—professionally and personally—seems to hang in this moment.

“Emma...” My voice comes out rough.

“Let me process it first?” she asks softly. “I need... I need time to think.”

I stand and open my arms, letting her come to me. Whatever Goldman Sachs is offering, whatever comes next, one thing will never change: we face it together. Even if right now, together means giving her space to make her own choice.

She fits against me perfectly, like she always has. I press a kiss to her temple, then force myself to step back. “Take whatever time you need.”

I have a meeting to attend—more quarterly reviews that suddenly seem insignificant compared to what’s in that folder. But before I leave, I turn back.

“Em? Whatever they offered... just know that I—” I stop, reminding myself of my promise not to influence her decision. “I believe in you. Always have.”

I head to my meeting, each step feeling heavier than the last. Behind me, Emma stands at my desk, holding a folder that could change everything we’ve built together.

Because some crises can’t be solved by turning them into features.

Some decisions have to be made alone.

Even when they affect us both.

Chapter Twenty-Eight