Isn’t that what family is about?” A low blow, but time was running short.
“Family is about finding what is best for everyone,” Maggie said softly.
“My being employed—isn’t that what’s best?” Brady stood. Energy bounced through his body, making it impossible to sit still. He paced the carpeted floor. “What I do for a living isn’t something I can do anywhere. I have to be in New York to be effective at my job. We don’t have to live in Manhattan. We could move to a suburb.”
“It’s not just the city. You are asking us to give up what we have here. You aren’t the only one who works. The furniture store lets me work flexible hours with Amber’s schedule. I have friends who love me. A community that looks out for us. You can’t offer that to us.” Maggie remained surprisingly calm.
Didn’t she realize what this meant? Didn’t she realize his plans now included her? What would make her change her mind? “Isn’t that what family is for? Isn’t that what love is about?”
Her expression clouded over as she stood. “You have no right to tell me about love.”
“Show me. Teach me what I need to know.” Brady didn’t want to leave like this. He wanted her to come with him.
She shook her head and backed away. “I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because it isn’t something you learn.” She hugged herself and leaned against the wall. “I wish I could help you, but you have to find it on your own.”
Brady moved in front of her and caressed her cheek. “Maggie, I have to leave. Today. I don’t want to go until I have your promise that you will consider the possibility of moving. Of making our family whole.”
“More promises?” Her eyes filled with tears. “What about your promise of time?”
“It’s unavoidable. My career is hanging on this project. I have to fix it.” Brady dropped his hand. A few days away from work and the whole project depended on one meeting. He couldn’t lose everything. he had to keep his career.
“Your career.” Her voice was flat, emotionless. But her eyes were a deeper shade of green than he’d ever seen them.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” he said.
She shook her head. That hated pity came into her eyes. “When you figure it out, let me know.”
The door opened behind them.
“Daddy!” Amber tackle-hugged him from behind. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Maggie slipped away from him, but he couldn’t wash her image from his mind. Why couldn’t she understand?
Amber let go and rummaged through her backpack. He had to resolve this thing with Maggie. Amber deserved to have a family.
“How was school?” he asked. Maggie had disappeared, maybe to give him time to say goodbye to Amber or maybe to clear the tears. Eventually, she’d give in and come to him. He needed to give her more time to adjust to the idea.
“It was awesome.” Amber held out a piece of red paper. “We are having an art show this Thursday. Can we make this our special outing?”
Her eyes sparkled with hope and love. He loved Amber. It was natural. But he couldn’t reconcile what he felt for Maggie. Right now, the fact that he had to cancel Amber and his outing ripped his heart in two.
“I’m sorry, Amber.” He wished he didn’t have to ever say those words to her again. “I have to go to New York today.”
Her smile turned into a frown. “But you’ll be back.”
Needing to be eye to eye, he got on one knee in front of her. “It’s not that simple. I need to go back to work, but as soon as I get time off, I’ll be back.”
She sniffled and her lower lip trembled. He felt like the world’s biggest jerk.
“It’s okay, Daddy.” She put her arms around his neck. “I’ll miss you.”
That made him feel even lower, but he wrapped his arms around her tight. “I’ll miss you, too.”
She pulled away and smooshed his face in her hands. She placed a single kiss on his forehead. When she pulled away, he smiled at her.
“What was that for?”
“Nana says that when you love someone and they are going to leave you, you should kiss their forehead to seal you into their memory. Nana always kissed me right here before I went to sleep.” She pointed to a spot on her forehead.
“Your nana was a wise woman. I bet you miss her.”
Amber nodded. “But she’s right up here whenever I miss her too much.”
“Would it be okay if I kissed your forehead, too? That way you don’t forget about your daddy?” Tears welled in the back of Brady’s throat as she nodded yes and leaned her forehead forward.
He kissed her lightly next to the spot her nana always kissed her. “I’ll get back as soon as I can. I promise.”
“I’ll wait for you.” Amber grabbed her bag and ran into the kitchen.
Brady stood slowly. This house was home to two people he cared so much about. If only he could box it up and take it with him. Including the wobbly kitchen chair and the recliner it took a good shove to recline in. It was as unique as Maggie and Amber.
A movement by the kitchen doorway pulled his attention. Maggie stood there. Her blond hair in a ponytail. Her hazel eyes watchful. Her lips slightly curved in a sad smile.
He wanted to stay, but he had to go. Within two strides, he had her in his arms. Maybe he couldn’t convince her to go with him this time, but he’d keep trying. He kissed her lightly on her mouth before touching his lips to her forehead.
“Don’t forget me, Maggie.”
Back in New York that night, Brady stood alone in his apartment. Since he was early, no flowers warmed every room. However, the guest bedroom had begun its transformation. A soft lavender covered the walls and the old furniture was gone. Painter drop cloths were placed on the floor to protect the wood.
It remained an empty shell. Brady sighed and went to his bedroom to unpack. Maggie’s red silk scarf called to him. He dropped to the bed and pulled the silk into his hands. Though it seemed like the only living thing in the apartment, it wasn’t truly alive. That spark had come from Maggie.
His phone rang, breaking the silence.
“I’ll get the files from my backup drive,” Brady told Jules.
“I could have handled the meeting on my own.”
Maybe she could, maybe she couldn’t, but the fact of the matter was Brady had returned for just this purpose. To save his career and the job that consumed all his time.
“What time?”
“Nine.”
