"I think I'm going to go rinse and change back into my clothes. Come on Tom; you're changing too." Annie said as she and Tom walked to the back of the cottage.
"I think I'm going to help them out. Call me if you need anything; ok?" Cassie told Roxie. Roxie silently smiled and nodded her head. Once Cassie, Tom and Annie had left the living room; Roxie beckoned the boys to come sit in the empty sofa and lounge chairs that were in the living room.
"Is something wrong?" Paul asked Roxie.
"Not exactly; I just think you boys needed to know about the latest updated news about my book publisher search." Roxie replied.
"Did Scott finally hear back from that publisher from New York?" Landon asked.
"Yes, he did and there is some good news and also some bad news. The good news is that the publisher Scott is talking to right now is fully interested in publishing my book." Roxie explained.
"That's amazing, but I don't understand the bad news part." Calvin stated. At that moment; Roxie took a deep breath to steady herself.
"Roxie; hey, you can tell us. We won't judge you." Nathan reassured her.
"The publishing company wants to interview me in person at the end of the month at their main office in New York. Now; I know this news is shocking especially because of the fact that I just got recently hired to be your new personal assistant, but we all knew that this day was going to come, but on the day that I was hired; Scott asked me if I could handle being both an author and your new personal assistant and I gave him my word and promised him that I was capable of handling both jobs. I'm going to try to fulfill that promise the best way that I can, but what I need to know right now is do I have your support in all of this?" Roxie asked. Nathan, Paul, Calvin and Landon looked at each other. The boys knew for a fact that Roxie was going to have to leave the UK sooner or later. They just didn't think it would be so soon. Especially since Roxie and Nathan had their first midnight adventure the night before. The boys just knew that whatever choice they made; it was either going to harm Nathan or Roxie the most.
"I think what I'm about to say is what the other lads are thinking right now is that the four of us support you no matter what Roxie. You've proven to us time and time again that you're capable of handling both this job and being an author. We just want you to be happy." Paul stated.
"So if I give the ok to Scott right now; you boys will be fine with me being gone?"
"Its like Paul said; we want you to be happy. If that means you having to be gone for a few weeks then that's fine as well. I'm pretty sure Cassie will be just fine in keeping us in line while you're in New York." Calvin added.
"I agree with Calvin and Paul on this too. Besides; you said so yourself that its always been a life long dream of yours to become a well renowned author." Landon pointed out.
"Nathan; you've been pretty quiet. What's your opinion on all of this?" Roxie asked him.
"Huh; oh, yeah, I second the lads decision on this. You should go to New York. It'll be good for you," Nathan said. He then looked straight into Roxie's eyes, knowing that it may or may not be the last time he sees the warmth in her chocolate brown eyes again. "Now, if you'll excuse me; I need to get some fresh air." he added. Nathan then got up and went outside. For a second Roxie wanted more than anything to go and follow Nathan, but she stopped herself. Roxie knew that if she followed Nathan; it'll only make the situation worse between them both, but deep down Roxie knew that the fact that she was going to go back to New York was emotionally killing Nathan.
"Nathan; wait!"
Roxie suddenly got up from where she was sitting and followed after Nathan. Roxie didn't know what came over her in that moment, but all she knew that if she didn't say anything to Nathan right there and then; her new relationship that she and Nathan had developed would be in shambles if she didn't do something.
"Nathan; will you please let me-." Roxie said.
"Look, Roxie; there is nothing that you are going to tell me right now that is going to change my mind let alone change the outcome of the situation that we are all facing right now." Nathan remarked.
"So what does that mean for us? I thought last night meant something to you?" Roxie asked.
"If I'm being honest; I don't know. Look, I think it's best if we give each other some space until we figure things out." Nathan suggested. Roxie was stunned with Nathan suggestion, but deep down she knew that this was the best solution for the both of them in that moment. So Roxie agreed and she then turned around and walked back letting silent tears trickle down her cheeks.
As the day went on, Nathan kept his distance from Roxie while Roxie kept her distance from Nathan. When Annie, Tom and Cassie had returned from changing out of their swim suits, both Annie and Tom knew that something wasn't right between Nathan and Roxie. It was then in that moment Cassie briefly explained Roxie's situation with Scott and his search in finding Roxie a publisher. The news about Roxie leaving came as a shock to both Annie and Tom, but in the end they were both happy for Roxie and supported her and Roxie's career of becoming an author.
"When does Roxie go back to New York?" Annie asked Cassie.
"According to the e-mail Scott sent Roxie; its supposed to happen in a few weeks from now." Cassie said.
"I just can't believe its already been 3 months since Roxie has arrived here in the UK. Seems just only yesterday we were all just meeting her for the very first time." Landon sighed.
"Look, if we all want to support Roxie and her decision to go back to New York; we need to stop with all of these emotions that we're all feeling right now and just be happy for her." Cassie stated.
"And how do we just do that; by ignoring the fact that Roxie is leaving us and possibly not return?" Paul retorted.
"Paul, mate; did you really have to go there?" Calvin remarked.
"What; I was just stating the obvious fact what we hope could happen might actually happen in the future." Paul stated.
"Yeah, but you didn't have to say it out loud right now; especially with the situation that's going on right now with both Roxie and Nathan.
"Wait; this situation that Roxie is in right now about returning to New York is also affecting Nathan as well? I thought you said Nathan was all for Roxie going back to New York." Tom asked Cassie.
"He is; at least that's what he wants us to think. But you know Nathan; he's going to agree with the majority vote and not oppose anyone just to make the decision a whole lot easier on everyone." Annie mentioned.
"Then what do we do? We can't simply ignore the fact that there is a guarantee Roxie will not come back to the UK." Calvin asked the others.
"We have to do what we originally plan on doing for Roxie the same for Nathan. We need to be strong for the both of them; even when the distance is going to be hard on them," Cassie said. "It's going to be hard, trust me; I've been in the same situation as well, but if we want Roxie and Nathan's relationship to last; we all need to be supportive in whatever choice that they make." she added. The others agreed and moved on from the current situation.
As the weeks went by, Roxie and Nathan still kept their distance from each other. Every once in a while; the couple would have a brief conversation, but once the conversation was over; Roxie and Nathan would go their separate ways and not talk to each other for the rest of the day. When it had finally gotten close to the day for Roxie to head back to New York; Roxie was in her bedroom that she had been staying in during her time in the UK, packing all of her suitcases and bags for the next day. Earlier that week; Roxie made the quick decision to stay at The Smouldering Hog the night before her flight just to make the drive over to the airport much easier. Plus it made saying goodbye to the life Roxie grew to love and cherish over the past 3 months a little bit easy not only for Roxie herself; but for Nathan and the others. While she was packing, there was a knock on the bedroom door.
"Hey; just thought I should let you know that Annie is almost here at the house." Cassie told her.
"Cool; I should be almost done with packing my suitcases. How are you guys handling everything?" Roxie asked.
"For the most part; Paul, Calvin and Landon are handling the fact of you leaving pretty well. As for Nathan; let's just say he is not being so cooperative." Cassie replied.
"Well; I'm not so surprised about Nathan's reaction to all of this. Especially with how close Nathan and I have gotten in the past 3 months that I have been here," Roxie remarked. Cassie was very silent throughout most of the conversation and it concerned Roxie. "Are you feeling ok?" she asked.
"Yeah, no-I don't know?! I don't understand how you could be so calm right now when there is a guarantee that you might not come back to the UK." Cassie stated. Roxie then beckoned Cassie to come over to the bed and sit next to her.
"If I can be quite honest; it's killing me deep inside that I have to leave the UK tomorrow. I'm just trying to do my best to keep all of my emotions all together, that way I won't breakdown and cry like a little baby when I leave this amazing country." Roxie admitted.
"But Roxie; you don't have to be brave just to make everyone happy. You can be sad about leaving; we'll understand about how you're feeling." Cassie said.
"I know, and I get what you're saying; but I can't follow my best friend's advice if she can't follow it herself."
"What do you mean? I follow my own advice!"
"Cassie; I know that you and the boys are pretending to be happy for me by supporting me in my choice to go back to New York. Don't get me wrong; I appreciate your guys' support in all of this, but if I can be honest; a girl needs some kind of honesty every once in while, especially from the people she cares about the most." Roxie stated.
"Yeah; I guess you're right, but the guys and I were worried that if you left, you would be tossing away your relationship with Nathan. You know the fact that you're leaving is affecting him as well." Cassie mentioned.
"I know and when Nathan is ready to talk about all of this; he knows that I'll only be just a phone call away. Now I may not know exactly when that conversation will happen, but as of right now; Nathan needs some space to figure out his thoughts and feelings about me going back to New York. If I don't give him the space he needs; it's like I'm forcing him to make a choice that he doesn't want to make," Roxie explained. "In time Nathan will understand the sacrifice I'm making right now, but in the meantime; the relationship that Nathan and I have is at a standstill." she added. Cassie just simply stayed quiet and agreed with Roxie's explanation. It wasn't right that Nathan and Roxie's relationship was at a standstill, but at that moment; Roxie had no other choice but to put the relationship she was going to have with Nathan on pause due to the fact of her going back to New York. It was a tough choice that Roxie had to make, but in the end; it was a choice that would only make sense for both Nathan and Roxie.
"Well I just hope Nathan finds a way to talk to you before you leave the UK." Cassie sighed.
"I hope so too; but you never know with Nathan. The guy can take his sweet little time on certain decisions." Roxie giggled. Cassie couldn't help but laugh at Roxie's response. As the two best friends were laughing, Cassie started to cry and Roxie then hugged her best friend and comforted her.
"This house wouldn't be the same without you." Cassie finally admitted once she had finally stopped crying.
"I know, but what has to be done; has to be done," Roxie pointed out. All of a sudden there was a knock on the bedroom door. "Come in." Roxie said out loud. The next thing the girls knew, the bedroom door was being opened by Calvin.
"Hey; oh-um I can come at a better time." Calvin stated.
"No; it's fine. Cassie and I had just finished our little conversation. What's up?" Roxie asked.
"I just thought I give you ladies a heads up that Annie is here in the main driveway waiting for you Roxie." Calvin replied.
"Great; can you actually tell her to come inside? There is something I want to do before I leave." Roxie asked.