Danielle mentioned my behavior, but she didn’t pressure me. This decision can’t be made lightly. I need to think about it thoroughly. Am I ready to go take on more responsibility?

I’m not sure.

Do I want to live in London?

Should I go back to Denver?

The only way to know is by asking for advice. Once I get home, I walk Reggie, pick up dinner, and head back to my apartment to eat. That’s when I FaceTime the wisest person I know, Mom. She answers almost right away with a big smile.

“Hey, sweetheart.”

“Hi, Mom, how’s it going?”

“The kids just left,” Mom says when she replies. “Lucas wants to talk to you.”

“Sounds serious.”

“There’s this girl in his class who wants his fancy markers,” she says.

“The ones I sent him?”

She nods and smiles. “He likes her.”

“Ah, to be young and in love,” I say.

Those were the good times. When being in a relationship meant sharing your apple slices or cookies during recess or exchanging pens.

“Tell him to do it, I’ll send him a new set.”

“He was asking if you’re coming anytime soon,” she says. “Or if we were going to visit you soon. He wants us to bring him along.”

Since I left Colorado, my family and I are closer than we used to be. We had a good relationship, but now, we’re tight. Lucas and I are friends. If I could, I’d take him in a heartbeat for the summer. I wish I could be closer to my family. If Lucas and I were closer, we could spend more time together.

Then there’s Val, who is my shopping buddy. We can spend hours at the bookstore picking up our next read. Or at Bloomingdales choosing matching T-shirts.

Oh, and I can’t forget Aiden, who is my little shadow when he’s around.

“You miss them. Why don’t you come to visit them?”

“Not just them,” I correct her. “I miss you all.”

“Come home soon.”

“Well…They offered me a promotion,” I say.

Lucas might be seeing me daily—or he’ll need a passport next time he visits me.

She frowns. “Who is they?”

“Shelby, my company. They offered me a new position with a significant raise and lots of new benefits.”

“Sweetheart, that’s incredible,” she says excitedly. “You deserve it.”

Do I?

I mean, yes, I’ve worked really hard, but partner is a step I hadn’t even considered. My stomach roils. What if I mess up and my entire career vanishes?

“I don’t know if I’m ready,” I confess.

“Well, why don’t we analyze everything,” she offers. “Do you have your notebook and pen in hand?”

“Yeah,” I mumble, as I grab them from my purse. “How objective can you be?”