Her eyes lift to mine. "If I'd known Celine was lying, I might've stayed but..." She takes a breath.
"But what?"
"I'm going back home."
"To Kansas?"
"Yes."
"For how long?"
"For good. I'm moving there."
"Sophie, no." I race up to her, gripping her shoulders. "You can't leave."
"I have to. I'm out of money. I don't have a job. I don't have an apartment. And honestly?" She pauses, glancing around the tiny room. "I'm kind of done with New York. It's crowded. It's expensive. And I don't really like it here. I wanted to prove I could make it in the big city and I did. I made it a whole year here, and I don't regret it. But it's time to move on."
"Sophie, please don't do this. Give us some time to figure this out."
"Aiden, I don't want to live here anymore. I've given it a lot of thought and it's just not what I want. Spending all that time in Vermont, I realized that's the type of place I need to be. That town felt like home the first day I was there."
"So let's move there."
"What?" She laughs. "We're not moving there."
"Why not?"
"Because you live in New York and I'm moving to Kansas."
"I quit my job. I don't have to live in New York. And I don't want to."
"You don't? I thought you loved it here."
"I used to, back in my twenties, but I've outgrown it. After that weekend in Vermont I got back to New York and didn't want to be here. I wanted to be in that town. With you." I cup my hands around her face and kiss her. "Please don't leave."
Her eyes fill with sadness as they meet up with mine. "I already took a job. I'm going, Aiden. It's too late."
"It's not too late. You don't have to go. You could get a job in Vermont."
"In that tiny town? Aiden, there aren't any jobs there. For me, or for you."
I search my brain trying to find a way to make this work. An idea pops in my head but I want to make sure it's possible before I say anything to Sophie.
"I need to talk to someone," I say.
"About what?"
"I'll tell you later. Just promise me you'll at least consider staying."
"In Vermont?" she says, sounding confused.
"Yes. In the town that we love so much." I kiss her, then rest my forehead on hers. "The town where we fell in love."
"Love?" she asks, her lips turning up.
"I love you, Sophie."
Her smile drops. "Aiden."
"I know it's soon, but I do. I love you."
"I love you too," she whispers, a tear slipping down her cheek. "But I thought I lost you."
"You didn't lose me. And I don't want to lose you. So please, tell me you'll consider staying."
She nods, sniffling.
I kiss her again, then take a step back. "I have to go. I have a lot to do." I look around at the boxes. "You need help with this?"
"No, I got a couple college guys to help. I'm paying them with pizza and beer."
I pull out my wallet and hand her four twenties. "Is that enough? If not, I can run down to the ATM and get more."
"Aiden, I'm not taking your money."
She tries to give it back but I'm already at the door. "I have to go."
"Wait!" She races to the door.
"I'm not taking the money back."
"That's not what I was doing." She smiles, then reaches up to kiss me. "You didn't kiss me goodbye. When will I see you?"
"I'll call and let you know. You're leaving right now?"
"Yeah, I rented that van I had before. It should fit everything."
"Have a safe trip. Call me when you get there."
"I will."
I turn to leave, then turn back and take Sophie in my arms. "That wasn't good enough for a goodbye kiss." I kiss her, a long passionate kiss that would lead to a lot more if some college guys weren't about to show up. "I love you. I'll see you soon."
A huge smile fills her face. "Love you too."
I race down the hall to the elevator, and when I get to the street I walk so fast I'm practically running. I need to hurry back to my apartment and call Tom and see if this is even possible. It's a long shot, but Tom's a dreamer like me. And he's got a romantic side. That might be all I need to convince him of the deal I'm about to propose.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Aiden
"I know you won't be getting all the money up front, but