Page 96 of Duty Unbound

Instead, I found myself thinking about tomorrow, and theday after, and all the days stretching ahead. Days that might include more evenings like this one. More laughter. More peace.

More Mel.

Chapter 31

Mel

“So, you’re really going to do it?” Ethan asked, his eyes fixed on the road ahead as he drove us back to Nova’s place from the airport. “Talk to her tonight?”

I stared out the passenger window, watching the trees blur by. The confidence I’d felt earlier was fading with each mile closer to Nova’s mansion.

I’d made my decision, especially after spending three days with Ethan and his parents. It was time to stand up for my dreams.

But still…

“I don’t know.” My stomach twisted into knots. “Maybe I should wait until after the tour.”

“If you’re sure that’s what you want.”

“I’m not sure about anything.” I laughed, but it came out hollow. “That’s the problem. I know I don’t want to be Nova’s tour manager anymore, but I have no idea what I do want.”

Ethan slowed the car at a red light and turned to look at me. The intensity in his blue-gray eyes made my breath catch.

“You don’t have to have everything mapped out, Mel. Most people don’t.” His voice was soft but certain. “But life’s too short to keep doing something you know isn’t right for you.”

“Easy for you to say. You’ve always known what you wanted to do.”

“That’s not true.” He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “After I left the military, I was lost. Couldn’t figure out where I fit in civilian life.”

The light turned green, and he accelerated smoothly.

“What changed?” I asked.

“I stopped focusing on what I was running from and started thinking about what I was running toward.” He glanced at me. “You’ve got enough savings to live comfortably for years, right? There’s no rush. Take your time figuring out your plan for your life.”

I nodded, though the thought of stepping into the unknown still terrified me. “It just feels like I’m letting everyone down.”

“Byeveryone, do you mean Nova?”

“Her. The team.” I hesitated. “My mom.”

He reached over and grabbed my hand, squeezing gently. “I have to believe your mom would understand. You’ve done your part. Nova is successful. It’s hard that your mom isn’t here to see it, but you don’t have to spend your life chained to her dream.”

Knowing Ethan understood the dilemma helped me feel more like it was the right thing to do. But that didn’t change the bottom line.

“Nova’s going to completely freak out,” I said, staring out the window. “She hates change.”

“Well, it doesn’t have to be an abrupt switch that causes her panic.” Ethan’s tone was practical now. “You could ease her into it. Stay for the rest of this tour and start training someone new—someone Nova can tolerate.”

“That…actually might work.” For the first time, quitting felt possible. “Give her time to adjust to the idea.”

“Exactly.” He smiled, and my heart did that ridiculous little flip it had started doing whenever he looked at me like that. “Nova is stronger than we give her credit for and only plays the diva because you allow it.”

I let out a sigh. “I know. That was part of Mom’s dream too, you know? It’s sort of the package we all bought into: we would all work hard, then Nova would be the star. She would get to shine and then take care of us financially.”

“And you’ve done that, and so has she. Nova will still get to shine. Her career isn’t going anywhere, and you’re not leaving her. You’re just taking time for yourself.”

“But telling her sooner rather than later is probably my best bet.” More to keep myself from chickening out than anything.