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“I’ll be in touch with the flight information once I have it, and make sure the penthouse is cleaned and fully stocked before you arrive,” Beth informs him, pausing briefly, the sound of her keyboard clicking in the background. “That’s all I have for you. Anything else you need?”

“Not at the moment,” Jensen answers. “I’ll reach out if anything comes up. Thanks, Beth.”

“Always here to help, Mr. Harding. ”

The call ends, and he sets his phone on the kitchen table.

Neither of us speaks as he draws me into his chest. I wrap my arms around his neck, rest my head on his shoulder, and focus on steadying my breathing, trying to quiet the panic rising in my chest.

Jensen tilts my chin to meet his eyes. “I want you to come with Caleb and me to New York next week.”

I absently trace the stubble along his jawline. “You do?”

“Of course.” He lifts my hand to kiss my palm. “It’s a big moment, and I want you there to share it with us.”

“I want to be there more than anything. I’ll just have to check with my brothers to make sure they can cover the cabins for me.”

I’ve never taken more than a day off, let alone been on a plane, so this is a foreign concept to me.

“I understand. Talk to them and let me know if there’s anything I can do to help make this happen. It would mean the world to Caleb if you were there… and to me. You’re important to us both, and it wouldn’t be right without you there.”

It’s the most honest he’s been about his feelings, and his words send butterflies fluttering through my stomach. The fact that he wants me there for such an important day means a lot.

Yet I can’t shake the idea that they might cut their time short in Bluebell and stay in New York after the court hearing, even though summer isn’t officially over.

The conversation we’re about to have was inevitable, and although I decided earlier that I wanted to address it sooner rather than later, now that it’s here, I’m not sure I can bring myself to ask the questions I’ve been avoiding.

I exhale deeply, raising my eyes to meet Jensen’s. “I need to ask you something first.”

“Sure. What is it?”

“After the hearing, are you and Caleb planning to come back here?” I manage, swallowing past the tightness in my throat .

Regardless of his answer, I plan to go with them to New York for the hearing, but I couldn’t wait a second longer to ask the question that’s been lingering in the back of my mind for weeks.

Jensen runs a hand through his hair, waiting a beat to reply.

“Honestly? I don’t know.” His voice falters, and the conflict in his voice is unmistakable.

A flicker of frustration runs through me, but I rein it in, taking a deep breath to keep calm. He has only just found out about the hearing being moved and hasn’t had a chance to think it through yet—or decide on his next steps.

“Have you considered staying in Bluebell… for good?” I ask, resisting the urge to squirm.

He takes my hand in his, running his thumb along my knuckles. “I have.”

A flicker of hope rises in my chest, fragile but bright.

“What’s holding you back?”

“When I left Bluebell, I had no intention of returning. I was determined to break the cycle I grew up in and create a better future for myself. New York quickly became my home, and it’s all I’ve known for the past fourteen years.

I threw myself into building something I could be proud of. Something no one could ever take away.”

As a kid, he was powerless—collateral damage in the fallout of the chaos created by his parents.

When they lost everything, so did he. It’s no wonder he poured all he had into making a new life and leaving Bluebell in the rearview.

And I can only imagine how hard it must be to consider calling the one place he vowed never to return to home again.

I shift in his lap to look him in the eye.

“What you did took courage—starting over in a big city, learning everything you could about an industry you were passionate about, and turning a simple idea into a successful business. You did all of that despite your parents, and have proven that you’re not destined to repeat their mistakes.

” I trail my fingers along the nape of his neck.

“Caleb is living proof of that. You’ve become an incredible dad, standing by him through every challenge he’s faced this summer. ”

“He’s come so far, and I can’t shake the worry that whatever path I choose won’t be right for him.

” Jensen sighs, his shoulders slumping. “I’ve spent years proving I can stand on my own.

Leaving behind everything I’ve built and stepping into the unknown terrifies me almost as much as failing Caleb. ”

Part of me wants to assure him that staying in Bluebell is what’s best for them both, and that he should forget about the city and his career altogether.

But how can I? He spent half his life waiting to leave Bluebell, and the other half creating a new life for himself.

I can’t be the reason he gives it all up, but I also don’t have the heart to let him go.

“You should take some time to think about how you want to move forward.” The suggestion sits heavy on my tongue, sharp-edged and difficult to get out.

“Whatever you decide, I agree it has to be what’s best for Caleb.

He comes first always. Which is why no matter what happens, I’m coming with you next week. ”

As much as I want them to stay in Bluebell, it has to be Jensen’s choice. He needs to see a future for himself and Caleb here and not feel coerced into it by me or anyone else, even if that means watching him choose a path that leads them away from me.

Jensen nods, pressing his forehead to mine. “Really? You’ll come?”

I draw in a deep breath before responding. “No way I’m missing out on trying New York–style pizza. Just don’t expect me to add pineapple to mine.” My tone is playful, wanting to lighten the mood—even though my heart is heavy.

He flashes me a charming smile. “Never. It’s bad enough that one of us puts fruit on pizza.”

I chuckle. “You’re lucky I’m the one who knows better. ”

I’ll never tire of our teasing banter, especially when it gives us a break from heavier topics.

Putting the ball in Jensen’s court could be the bravest—or the most reckless—choice I’ve ever made, and it has the potential to lead to devastating heartbreak.

Still, I can’t be the one to walk away, not when my heart belongs to both Jensen and Caleb.

All I can hope is that he decides we’re worth fighting for.