"I think you're a wonderful mother. But, I do think you need some help right now. Some support. You have family that wants to do that for you if you will let us."
A stray tear rolled down Meg’s cheek. "I'm asking you nicely to leave. Please. I cannot do this right now."
Julie, wanting to burst into tears herself, refrained. She hugged Christian and then tried to hug her daughter, although Meg’s arms never left her side. As she walked over to the door, she turned around one more time.
"Meg, you know I love you. I'm here for you, whatever you need. Just don't forget that."
As Julie shut the door behind her, she never felt more helpless in her life. Her daughter’s mental health and her granddaughter's first months of life were hanging in the balance, and she had to do something to help them both. She stepped into the elevator, dropped her purse on the floor and burst into tears.
Chapter Three
Janine sat on the sofa, the remote control in her hand. After her lunch with William and a full schedule of classes, she needed some downtime. Her plan was to stare mindlessly at the television until her eyes wouldn't stay open any longer. Then she would fall into her bed and try to forget this day ever happened.
A part of her felt immature and ridiculous for getting upset with William for being offered a new opportunity. But the other part of her, which was unfortunately larger, felt betrayed by him even thinking about it.
Of course, he’d said he hadn't decided what he was going to do yet, but if there was even a question then it meant he didn't feel the same way about her that she felt about him. There would be no way that she would ever leave him behind to take another job, so if he was even considering that, she had obviously misunderstood the depth of their relationship.
She dug her hand into the potato chip bag, taking out another handful. If she kept this up, they would have to roll her into the yoga studio. But right now, her appearance just didn't matter to her. There was nothing better than a big bag full of carbs to help with the blues.
Just as she was crunching on the last one and about to put her hand right back into the bag, she heard a knock at the door.
"Oh, good Lord. Who could be here at this hour?" she grumbled as she made her way to open it. She hoped it wasn't anyone important because they were about to see her standing there in her pajamas with a messy bun on top of her head and streaks of mascara down her face. It wasn't that she had been crying, but she hadn't taken the time to wash off her make up before rubbing her eyes.
"Hey," William stood there, hands hanging by his side, like he’d been defeated.
"Oh. Hello." She left the door standing open and turned back to the sofa, plopping down and picking up the potato chip bag once again.
A moment later, William finally walked inside and shut the door, looking at her carefully before sitting down in the chair next to the sofa.
"You look… comfortable," he said.
She glared at him. “Tread lightly."
He sighed. "Janine, I don't feel good about what happened today at lunch. I think you took everything the wrong way."
"Oh, really? Let me see if I can summarize. Your boss has offered you a cushy new job in a totally different state, and you're considering it. You have a girlfriend here who you claim to love, but you're willing to leave her behind for some extra cash. What am I missing?"
His eyes opened wide. "So that's how you see it?"
“That's how I see it." She dug her hand back into the bag and crunched a chip while glaring at him. She wasn't sure why she did it, except for emphasis.
"You know, I have supported you in your quest to open the yoga studio and make it successful."
"And I have told you a million times how much I appreciate it."
"But now here I am with a huge opportunity, and at the very mention of me even thinking of taking said opportunity, you're willing to just walk away."
She stared at him before slamming the bag down on the sofa next to her. "Excuse me but I'm not the one wanting to walk away. How in the world do you think we could maintain a relationship when I live on the coast of South Carolina and you're all the way in Texas?"
"I haven't even decided if I'm taking the job!"
"But, you haven't decided that you aren't, William."
"So you just expect me to only take opportunities that are right here in town for the rest of my life? I mean, do you ever plan to leave this place?"
She sat with that question for a moment. Did she? Janine had traveled all over the world for so many years that she had finally realized she never planned to leave Seagrove Island. It had become her home quickly, and her family was there.
"No."
"No? You're never going to leave this place? How can someone who has traveled as much as you have just decide they're never leaving this place?"
“Of course I'll take vacations, William. But I don't plan to ever live anywhere else. Why would I? This is my favorite place on earth. My family is here. I have new friends here. I have a great business here."
William blew out a breath. "Well, I guess that's the difference between me and you. You have everything you want here. I’m not sure I do.”
Her stomach clinched. "Then I suppose that is a very big difference between us."
"You know I love you. But, I have to grow as a person and in my career just like you do."
In a way, she understood what he was saying. She didn't like it, but she understood. She couldn't blame him for needing more in his career anymore then he could've blamed her for needing to open the yoga studio.
"So what do we do now?"
"I have to give my boss an answer tomorrow afternoon. I feel like I have to try this, Janine. I have to know whether I’m meant to go up in my company or stay here in Seagrove and build a life."
"William, if you have to even question whether you want to build a future that includes me, then I think you already have your answer."
As they just stared at each other for the next few moments, Janine knew things were never going to be the same. Just like always, she always ended up getting her heart broken in the end.
"I cannot believe what a beautiful picnic you set up," Colleen said. Tucker had gone all out, picking up their favorite foods from the local seafood restaurant. There was just something about sitting right there on the warm sand, the constant breeze blowing through her hair, the last hints of sunlight dancing across the waves. All of it made her feel at peace.
"Anything for the woman I love," Tucker said, smiling at her.
Their relationship had moved so quickly, much quicker than the one she had with Peter. But everything felt right about it. He treated her with so much respect, and they were already talking about future plans like vacations they’d take and where they each saw their careers going.
The “I love you” phase had happened within a couple of weeks of them dating, and she was okay with that because she really did love him. She couldn't imagine a man better than Tucker out there.
"Care to take a walk by the water?" he asked as he cleaned up their spread of food.