Page 97 of A Slice of Summer
Her brain tried to comprehend what he was saying. Tried and failed. “Move to L.A.?”
Excitement flashed on his face. “It’s a perfect solution. With your skills, you could find a job at any bakery or restaurant. Even a hotel.”
“I have a job.”
“In Silver Falls, but I’m in L.A. I want you with me.”
Wow. This wasn’t what Taryn expected to hear. Not that she expected him to give up everything for her and move to Washington state. Maybe she thought they’d decide to date long-distance and go from there, but he wasn’t declaring his love or offering any sort of commitment other than wanting her there.
A part of her wanted to throw her arms around Garrett and never let go. The other part wanted to back away and put as much distance as she could between them. He was deciding her future without asking for her input. The same way her parents were doing with the bakery. “I want to be with you, but…”
His intense gaze locked on hers. “What?”
“The bakery is my family legacy.”
“You don’t know what your dad has planned.”
“I didn’t, but we spoke on Monday. He and my mom plan to sell the bakery. They think I shouldn’t run it so I can get married and have kids.”
“Old-fashioned.”
“Yes, that…surprised me.”
“So if he won’t turn over the bakery—”
“I asked him to sell the bakery to me. He hasn’t given me an answer, but I applied for a small business loan.”
“You want to stay in Silver Falls?”
She hated seeing the disappointment in his eyes. “It’s home.”
“L.A. is my home.”
“Yes, but you’re asking me to give up everything. The same as my parents.”
“It’s not the same. I care about you.”
Care, not love. It didn’t surprise her because they hadn’t known each other that long. “My mom and dad do, too, even if they have a funny way of showing it.”
His lips thinned. “Where does that leave us?”
Good question. Taryn wished she had an answer. “Aren’t you licensed to practice in other states besides California?”
“Yes, but I’m a partner in the firm. I need to be in L.A.”
“And I need to be here in Silver Falls. If my parents don’t sell Lawson’s to me, then I’ll start my own bakery. That’s the dream, and I want to pursue it.”
“Does it matter where you open your bakery? Does it have to be here?”
“I don’t know.” But she wouldn’t rush the choice. Not when there were so many uncertainties with her parents. She took a step away from him. “Whether or not the Lawson’s Bakery is ever mine, I need to be here and see this through.”
“Don’t you want to see where this goes between us?”
“More than anything, but at what cost?”
“What do you suggest?”
Relief flowed through her. At least Garrett was asking her opinion about this. A good thing she had one. “What if we see how things go with you in L.A. and me here?”
