“Are you planning to bail?” Sophia asked.
“It’s not my intention, but there are days when I wonder how we’re going to pull this off, especially after a call like the one I just had.”
“Was he on your case for not being around?”
“No, he does understand how much this project matters to me.” She smiled at Sophia. “Thanks to you, I’ve finally found a way to combine work I love with something worthwhile. I’ve never felt this way about a job before.”
“Something told me it was going to be a perfect fit,” Sophia said. “You’ve always done an outstanding job for me and for everyone I’ve recommended you to, but I sensed there was something missing.”
Emily frowned. “You didn’t think I gave the work my all?”
“Oh, heavens no!” Sophia protested. “In case you haven’t noticed, there seem to be two extremes out here, at least in the circle of people with whom I associate. There are those who are sincerely passionate about the work and those who are in it to make a quick buck. While I’d certainly never lump you in with the latter, you didn’t have the sort of passion for the work that takes something from being a job to being something more. I like to be around people who can’t wait to get out of bed to start the day. I wanted that for you, too.”
Emily grasped what Sophia was telling her. “And you’re right. I think I’ve found that now.”
“But you think that’s going to ruin your future with this man?” Sophia guessed.
“I hope not,” Emily said, “but it does mean I need to consider people other than myself when I make decisions. B.J., that’s Boone’s son, started worrying that I’d forgotten about him. His grandmother, who’s not a big fan of mine, started feeding that insecurity. So while I was here, all caught up in the job, I was inadvertently hurting that little boy. How selfish is that?”
Sophia smiled. “And now that you know about this, what do you intend to do? Go on ignoring him until it’s convenient to make a call?”
“Absolutely not,” Emily said.
“Then lesson learned,” Sophia concluded. “Sweetie, it is not all that unusual for people who’ve only had to think of themselves to need a little time to get used to what’s necessary when there are others in their life. Now that you’ve been reminded of that, you’ll make every adjustment necessary. I have complete confidence in you.”
“What if the adjustments or sacrifices are too great?” Emily asked, voicing her greatest fear.
Sophia’s gaze was filled with compassion. “Then you’ll have made a choice, won’t you? You’ll have chosen work over a relationship.”
“But I don’t want to be that woman,” Emily complained. “I want it all.”
Sophia laughed. “Then find a way,” she said. “You’re a smart woman.”
“What about Boone?” she asked in frustration. “Do all the adjustments and sacrifices have to be mine?”
“Not in my book,” Sophia said. “But then I lost a couple of husbands because of my refusal to compromise. I don’t really recommend that, not if you’re hoping that things will work out. There’s always a middle ground, Emily. Find it.”
Emily nodded, praying that her friend was right and that she and Boone could find a solution that worked for both of them. They certainly weren’t there quite yet. Emily was starting to feel pulled in two different directions. And, she admitted, she was starting to resent Boone for not having to give up a single thing thus far. To be fair, though, had she even once sat down with him and asked him to meet her halfway on something? No.
She sighed just thinking about the emotional heavy lifting still ahead for them. Sophia smiled.
“Just sinking in how complicated this is going to be?” she teased lightly.
Emily nodded.
“At least the crisis has been averted for now,” Sophia said. “I’m going to take off and try to sweet-talk a couple of corporate tycoons out of some big bucks.”
Emily chuckled. “They don’t stand a chance. I’ve never known you not to get exactly what you set out to get.”
“Remember that the next time I’m trying to wheedle something out of you,” Sophia advised her. “Give it up graciously.”
“For you, anything, anytime,” Emily said.
“Oh, boy, I have you now,” Sophia exulted. “I wish I’d gotten that on tape.”
“My word’s good enough,” Emily said. “I won’t forget I gave it.”
And now that she had given her word, she just hoped it wouldn’t come back to haunt her.
As Sophia took off, Emily’s cell phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID as she answered. “Hey, Samantha.”
“How are things in Tinseltown?” Samantha inquired.
“Chaotic. How about New York?”
“Way too quiet,” Samantha said, an odd edge to her voice. “Are you getting to Grandmother’s for Thanksgiving?”
“I’m hoping to. You?”
“I’ll head down on Tuesday most likely. Have you spoken to Gabi recently?”
Emily thought of the call she’d gotten in which she’d sensed something wasn’t right with their sister. “I spoke to her a couple of weeks ago. I meant to call you then. She wouldn’t admit to anything, but I felt like something was wrong.”
“That’s what I thought when I spoke to her last night. I was going to go by there on my way to Sand Castle Bay, but she told me not to bother, that she’d probably see me over there.”
“Probably?” Emily repeated with a frown. “What does that mean? Surely she’ll show up for Thanksgiving. Even Dad usually drags himself away from the office for the holiday.”
“I’m not convinced Gabi will this year. I do know if she doesn’t, we might need to drive over to Raleigh and see for ourselves what’s going on.”
“Why don’t I run by her place from the airport?” Emily suggested. “Maybe I can drag her with me, if she’s balking at coming.”
“Even better,” Samantha
