Banner isn’t a particularly emotional person. He’s easygoing. But he does take his work seriously, and this project has been an enormous undertaking. He’s worked so damn hard at it. To just neglect that hard work is like a slap in the face to my brother. But isn’t that what I did to Myla by moving us here without her input?

I rub my hand across my forehead. “Fuck, I don’t know, man. It’s like a lose-lose for me. If I take it, then there’s a great possibility that I’m going to lose her. But if I don’t take it, I’m letting down every single person who’s had a hand in this business. It’s so fucked up.”

He’s silent for a moment and then says, “You know, sometimes we have to consider that there’s more to life than what we accomplish and the goals we check off.” He sets his drink on the table and turns toward me. “There’s a reason the human body is conditioned to love, and it’s so we don’t have to walk around this planet alone. So we don’t have to face the trials and tribulations of our journey in the dark, but rather in the light from the guidance of the ones we love. Goals and dreams come and go, but love, that lasts forever. Don’t lose it because you’re too worried about what might happen to your goals.”

I shake my head. “Banner, I can’t fucking disappoint you.”

“You won’t,” he says.

“But—”

“But nothing. You won’t disappoint me. Keep the business and me out of the picture along with everyone else attached to it. If those factors weren’t part of the issue, tell me, would you move back to Chicago to make her happy?”

“I’d do just about anything to keep her in my life and make her happy.” And if that means packing up and heading back to Chicago, then . . . I guess I would.

“Then I think you have your answer.” He drains the rest of his whiskey before setting the empty glass back on the table. “I love you, man, and I know you’re not happy, not without her. I don’t want to watch you lose her, so do what it takes.”

I grip the edge of the table and look over at her. Her head falls back as a laugh flies out of her mouth. Her hand grips Lottie’s arm while she nods. I can see it. I can see her living here, loving it here. I can see her becoming great friends with Kelsey and Lottie. I can see her working with Kelsey, finding great joy in creating spaces that portray her style and Kelsey’s models of sustainability. I can see us finding a home we love and creating a life around it. But just because I can see it doesn’t mean that she can. It doesn’t mean she’ll forgive me and no longer resent me for hurting her in the first place.

“Like I said,” Banner adds, breaking into my thoughts. “Don’t worry about it now. Think about it later.”