I organized my thoughts before speaking. “Based solely on what this would mean for my career…it’s the opportunity of a lifetime.”
She weighed my words and placed her hands on her hips when she leaned against the wall to think. Her expression was tense while she appeared to be having an internal conversation that she hadn’t decided to make me privy to just yet. When she sighed hard and looked up at me again, she nodded. “Take it.”
My heart sped up. “But what about the magazine? What about –“
“AJ…take it. I can see if the magazine will let me work remotely. I can set up an office in our home there and maybe commute every now and then when they need me to.” She nodded again, seemingly more sure this time. “Take it.”
It felt like my head was going to explode from all the excitement and uncertainty. When I stood, Kira smiled. “Are you sure? I was serious about turning it down if you didn’t want to leave.” I kissed her cheek once and then her lips. Her smile grew.
“How could I ask you to turn down an opportunity this big? Regardless of what my dad thinks, Arata belongs to your father…and to you.” She fixed the collar of my dress shirt and then my tie. “And as your fiancé, I support you one hundred percent.”
I kissed her again. “Thank you, Kira…just…thank you.” Our lips touched one more time and then she giggled when I rained kisses against the side of her neck.
“You’re gonna be a great boss and a great husband, Mr. Hahn,” she added with a smile.
She held my gaze when I pulled away and looked over the doll-like details of her face. Sweeping the few loose strands of hair aside, I marveled at the strength and selflessness that Kira possessed.
“You’re amazing. You know that?” I kissed her forehead and her eyes drifted closed.
Without words, I led her up to our bedroom and made love to her for the rest of the afternoon, celebrating not only my new job, but also celebrating us. Deep down, I believed that once we made this move and got settled in, we’d only grow stronger together. Nothing was powerful enough to tear us apart. Nothing
Chapter Seven
Sam
“You seem…lighter?” Dr. Gill said with a smile. “That’s the only word I can think of that fits. I mean…look at you! You’re smiling and…happy,” she added. “I take it this past weekend went well. Tell me about it.”
I didn’t even know where to start. “Well…the wedding was beautiful. I think it did me some good to be around my old friends like that. I hadn’t seen Terrell and Maisha in nearly a year.”
She nodded, waiting for me to continue.
“The change of scenery was nice, too,” was all I added.
Dr. Gill shot me a look and then shook her head with a smile. “There was a truce I recall needing to be made. How’d that go? Or did you decide against it?”
I lowered my head, smiling to myself as I fidgeted with my nails. My thoughts drifted back to AJ, mostly our moment on the dance floor, but also the way he’d dismissed the drama between us with that one short statement that he made while we stood outside the hotel gift shop.
“I’m good. We’re good.”
Dr. Gill’s face lit up. “Good? So you did do it.”
I looked up at her for a moment, honestly feeling embarrassed that I couldn’t stop smiling at the thought of AJ. But, my god, the butterflies that man could still give me…
“I didn’t have to. He beat me to it,” I admitted. “Maybe I’m giving myself too much credit. I think I would’ve chickened out actually,” I said with a laugh.
She continued to observe the changes that she saw in me from the previous Wednesday.
“Well, I think that’s amazing. You look ten times more at ease than I’ve ever seen you. Seriously.”
I didn’t know what to say, mostly because I didn’t know how I felt about AJ being the only factor that had changed between then and now.