Outside the coffee shop, I stayed inside the car. The phone rested in my palm. His name waited there - Daniel - with digits lined up beneath it.
It started with a phone. Just one word from me would have done it. He waited for that sound - my voice saying I picked him. Every offer stood open, ready for my answer.
Simple.
What made my hands tremble like that?
I pressed call.
Right away he said it. Brooklyn
Hope first. Then fear shows up. My name comes after. Love waits at the end.
"Hey. Can we talk?"
"Are you - did you decide?"
Darkness behind my lids. His face appeared there. Gutted is what I am.
"I chose you. I did. I told Jayce it was you."
Silence. Then: "So why do you sound like you're about to ruin my day?"
"Because I need more time."
The silence stretched.
"Daniel?"
"I'm trying to understand. You chose me. You told Jayce. But you need more time?"
"For the decision. About Seattle. The job. Moving."
"To what, Brooklyn? What exactly do you need more time for?"
