She waited until after they’d eaten and were relaxing with a second cocktail. They were still outside watching the sun beginning to set. There was no water view from where Marco lived, but it was still a nice area. His house backed up to conservation land and there were lots of trees everywhere.

Usually, the two of them were never at a loss for conversation and often had to be careful not to talk over each other in their rush to get their thoughts out. But suddenly there were some quiet moments. The normal flow of conversation seemed to dry up as the weight of what Andrea needed to say hung over her. Marco finally noticed it, too, and said something.

“Is everything okay? You seem a little distracted, not your usual chatty self.”

She smiled. “I do have something on my mind. So, I didn’t exactly tell you the whole story about why I went to New York.”

He took a sip of his beer and held her gaze, waiting for her to continue.

“I had a final interview, for a general manager role at an upscale hotel in Manhattan. It’s a great opportunity. And they made me an offer this afternoon. A good offer.”

“I see. You don’t seem all that excited about such a great offer. Do you want the job? If you do, if you think it might be your dream job, then you should take it.”

She didn’t expect him to say that.

“I don’t know what to do. There are pros and cons. It’s a great opportunity, but it’s in Manhattan. That has never been my first choice.”

“I think you have to decide if that’s what you really want to do, too. Were you happier as a general manager than you are working in concierge services?”

She bit her lower lip as she considered the question for what felt like the millionth time.

“I feel like I should want this job,” she admitted.

“Why?”

“Well, because it’s the highest level and what I always thought I should be doing and what I did do for so long here.”

“Do what you love and the money will follow…that’s an old saying my father used to say. When a man loves what he does, it’s not work, it’s living. I guess it depends how you want to live your life. Only you can decide that, Andrea.”

She knew he was right. And she knew she had a lot to think about. She smiled. “How did you get so smart?”

He leaned over and brushed a wayward strand of hair off her face. “You’re making it too hard. Sleep on it and go with your gut. Go with what is going to make you feel lighter, happier. Maybe it’s the Manhattan job. Maybe it’s not.”

“That’s a good suggestion. I’ll do that.”