Ramona reached across the table to squeeze his hand. “Don’t lie to me anymore.”
He was cornered. But he wasn’t ready to tell her the truth. Then what could he say?
“I’m worried about you.” This wasn’t a lie.
“Why?” Ramona seemed taken aback.
“Are you happy in Philadelphia?” Quincy had the curious sensation that his response had disappointed Ramona.
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I’m at work all day and you’re alone in our town house.”
“Don’t worry about me.” Ramona waved a dismissive hand. “Everything’s fine. And I’m proud of what you’ve accomplished at Penn.”
Quincy was grateful for her support of his career. But wouldn’t she be proud of his accomplishments at TFU? “Aren’t you bored being on your own all day?”
“Is that why you’ve been so moody? You think I’m bored on my own?” She gave him a dubious look.
“I don’t think I’ve been moody.” Even he could hear the defensiveness in his tone.
“You have. But you can stop worrying. My interior design business will pick up.” Ramona sipped her lemonade. “Then I’ll be as busy as I was here in Trinity Falls.”
Quincy was doubtful. The residents of Philadelphia wouldn’t be as impressed with Ramona’s interior design vitae. The McCloud name didn’t have as much stature outside of Trinity Falls. And her time in New York wouldn’t be as persuasive to potential clients.
How could he gently break that news to Ramona? “Philadelphia isn’t Trinity Falls.”
“That’s true.” Ramona’s ebony eyes twinkled at him. She’d misunderstood his meaning.
Quincy tried again. “You have family and lifelong friendships in Trinity Falls.”
“I’m making friends at the fitness club I’ve joined in Philadelphia.” Ramona reached across the table and pressed his hand again. “Really, Quincy, you don’t have to worry about me.”
“I want you to be happy.”
“Promise me you’ll stop worrying. Then I’ll be happy.” She squeezed his forearm this time. “I’m having a better exper
ience in Philadelphia than I had in New York. I’m making more of an effort to fit in.”
“I’m glad.” Could she hear the disappointment in his voice?
“What about you?” Ramona leaned forward, her hand still on his arm. “Are you happy?”
Come clean, the voice in his head shouted. Tell her how you feel. Explain you made a mistake. Quincy knew he should admit that he wanted to return to Trinity Falls University and their hometown. He needed to confess that Foster was willing—indeed anxious—to give him his old job back with full tenure.
But what if Ramona refused to leave Philadelphia? She’d just confirmed that she was happy there. What if she forced him to choose between Trinity Falls and her? What would he do? How could he choose between his heart and his soul?
Quincy smiled. “Being with you is what makes me happy.”
As if on cue, Agnes appeared with their dinners and the moment was lost. The savory, seasoned fragrance of their entrées should have made his mouth water with anticipation. Instead, his stomach clenched with dread. The love in Ramona’s expression should be all the reward he needed.
Then why was he so unhappy?
CHAPTER 22
“May I join you, Ramona?” Benita had spotted the other woman seated alone at a table at Books & Bakery Wednesday afternoon.
“If you must.” Ramona could be so deliciously grouchy.