Page 41 of Romantic

“Well, at first, I just let him say that stuff. Because I wasn’t sure if I loved him. But now I think I do.”

“You love Jack?” Elinor’s giving me her most annoying, skeptical look.

“Yes—yes . . . absolutely.” Even I can hear how weak my words sound. “There’s so much more to Jack than his looks and money,” I say. “For one thing, he reads.”

“Oh goody! He’s literate.” I ignore Elinor’s jab.

“And he reads poetry. Just for fun. Do you know how many guys read poetry? Like forty-two in the whole world. And Jack is one of them. I’m never going to find a man more perfect for me. And not just that . . . he’s willing to zig when others zag. He was brave enough to leave his job in finance.”

“Or maybe he’s just rich enough.”

“I don’t understand why you’re not happy. I never thought I’d meet a man so absolutely perfect for me. Plus, he gave me a car! Can you believe it?”

“Honestly, I can’t. You guys have been dating . . . what? A few weeks?”

“It’s been a month . . . that’s long enough. You and Edward fell in love that fast.”

“True . . . but Annie, I know you. And this isn’t you in love.”

“Oh! So now you’re the expert on love?” I rub my moonstone ring.

“No, but I am an expert on my little sister. And sometimes lately I feel your happiness with Jack is forced.”

“Jack loves me! That’s enough for me.”

“That can’t be enough, Annie. Love isn’t one-sided. What about you? Do you really love Jack? Do you want to move all the way to Maine with him? Spend the rest of your life with him?”

I say nothing, because what can I say? My feelings about Jack aren’t as sure and strong as I’m claiming, but I can’t help but think that they should be.

“And what about Brandon?” she asks with an undercurrent of sadness.

“What about him?” I spit back. “He’s made it clear that he’s not interested.”

“I have a hard time believing that,” says Elinor. “Now that man . . . he would love you with his whole heart. He probably already does.”

“Don’t say that!” I feel myself choking up. I turn away quickly, hoping she doesn’t notice.

“Fine,” she sighs. “I’ll drop it. You need to get ready for work anyway.” She gives my hand a squeeze.

I nod, grateful for the excuse. Normally, I don’t mind crying in front of my sister, but right now I need to be alone. The second she leaves the room, I hurry upstairs and fall on my bed face first and cry my heart out. Then I remember I have a shift at the cafe in thirty minutes. I sit up and try to pull myself together.

I need to focus on Jack. We had so much fun yesterday driving down the coast in my new car all the way to Cambria. We visited Hearst Castle and daydreamed about which features we’d like in our home. Jack waxed poetic telling me about growing up in Maine with the woods and the rugged coast. It sounded a lot like Big Sur, except with cheap lobster and colder winters.

“I can’t imagine why you left,” I said after he told me another story of sailing to explore tiny islands off the coast.

“I just knew my life was missing something . . . and I was right. It was you. Annie—you are the reason I sailed halfway around the world . . . and you were worth it.” I smile through my tears, thinking of the things Jack said to me. He told me that since meeting me he feels complete. I twist the ring he gave me. How silly of me to cry, as if my heart is breaking. I don’t care what Elinor says. I couldn’t be happier.

My phone buzzes. It’s Susan, Brandon’s mom’s friend. I wipe the tears from my face and swipe to answer.

“Hello, Annie, I’m delighted to tell you that we’d like to offer you the position.”

“Oh, thank you! Thank you! I promise you won’t be disappointed.”

As soon as I’m off the phone I shoot Brandon a text.

Annie

I got the teaching job!!!