“The one in your hometown?”

“Yeah, that one.”

A handful of seconds passed. “Did you take it?”

“He’s asking me to drive down Friday so we can get everything signed this week. I think that way he won’t have to list it. Technically, I guess I’m still on their list of contracted teachers this year.”

“Wow. So, it sounds like you’re taking it.”

She pursed her lips. Yeah, it does, and it sucks. “I think I need to,” she said aloud. “It’s looking less and less likely that I’ll get offered anything else this late in the game. But we still have the whole summer ahead of us. And there are always weekends.”

“Yeah, there are weekends.” He was trying to sound optimistic, but she was still able to pick up on an underlying layer of disappointment.

“Gabe, I—I know this sucks. I know we’re just starting out, and I don’t want to be away from you five days out of seven. But if I don’t find work this year, I can’t help but think it’s going to be that much harder next year.”

He cleared his throat, and Olivia could picture a perfect furrow between his brows. “I can see that being a legitimate worry. Look, I’m not going to lie and tell you I won’t miss you. But you’re right. You’ve got to do this.” Her ear tingled from the sound of his exhale against the receiver. “We’ll make it work.”

Tears stung her eyes instantly. “Thank you.” I love you. More than I thought I could love anyone. It means so much that you’re taking this so well. Why couldn’t she say it? Why was she so afraid of losing herself? “I’m sorry, really sorry” was all that came out.

“Don’t be sorry. We’ll figure it out. I mean it. Samson’s always up for a drive. We’ll alternate weekends so you’re not always driving.”

“You might not want to do that when you realize I’m most likely going to be staying at my grandparents’. I’m pretty sure if you sleep over, you’ll be sequestered to the guest room.”

He laughed. “Whatever it takes, Olivia.”