Page 54 of Blue Sky

Caviar

Beck’s fist clenched. I couldn’t believe what I had just said. But my decision was final.

I was moving to San Diego.

Tomorrow.

“Why Paloma? Why are you doing this to me? I love you dammit. Isn’t that enough?”

I shook my head. “No, it’s not enough. I deserve more.”

“What do you want from me? Babe, I’m crazy about you. Sky loves you. I love your sisters. Of course, it’s a good idea”

“But you will be flying around the country. I will never ever see you.”

“I come home most weeks for a few days.”

“But what about the rest of the time? I won’t know anyone. And people will talk there like they talk here.” People like his mother. I had tried to be strong and proud but her words and stung me deep.

“I don’t care what people think. Not Charlie, not my mom. I just want to be with you. Don’t you get that?”

I believed that he thought that now. But I also thought that his feelings could change.

“Your mom hates me. I don’t sip champagne and eat caviar. I don’t want to ruin your life.”

“You would never ruin my life. You are my life.”

He kissed me, and I melted. He was great. I had no complaints at all about him or our relationship. But deep down no matter how hard I had tried to convince myself otherwise, I had always known that we were on a timeline.

And now our time was up.

I had made my decision.

And even if it was the wrong one, I was sticking to it.

Sure, I could go to Florida, and it could work out. We could get married and I could be Sky’s mommy.

But I would be alone on the base.

I would be ostracized.

And then—he could leave me.

And I would have nothing.

I couldn’t take that risk when my sisters were involved.

My heart constricted in my chest. I couldn’t believe I was the one who was ending this. Especially when my feelings for Beck hadn’t changed.

When he had walked into the door earlier tonight he had a hopeful look on his face. And roses. A dozen red roses. How was I going to be able to tell him?

I pulled back from him.

“Is this about your dad? I’m not him. I’m not going to leave you. I asked you to move to me with Pensacola. He has nothing to do with us.”

And that was when I broke. “How can you say that? He has everything to do with us. Everything. Don't you see that? History is repeating itself.”

He clutched me by the arms. “No, you are wrong. I’m not going to leave you. I’m in love with you.”