I returned to the Playhouse the following morning.
The first section of the roof was scheduled to be repaired in two weeks. The auditorium remained closed, and the lobby mural still needed months of careful work. I had lost part of my fee, the engagement, and the future I'd been rehearsing in my head since Julian proposed.
The building stood exactly where it had been. The roof was still damaged. The marble under my shoes was still cracked. Nothing had turned beautiful simply because I'd made the right choice.
Daniel met me in the lobby with two coffees.
"You look terrible," he said.
"Thank you."
"I brought the good kind."
I took a cup. "You're still living above the shop?"
"For now."
"Is that a yes?"
"It's a I'm not moving back to Grayhaven."
I smiled. "That's good."
"It is."
