Disclaimer: Don't own it, though I wish I did
A/N: Part 1 of 2. Set in the future. Just another little reminder of how much Seth loves Summer…read and review!
"I understand. No, no, I'll figure something out. Thanks for letting me know. Alright, Jim, I'll call you later with my final answer," Seth ran a hand through his curly black hair, which he really needed to get cut. As he replaced the phone in its cradle, a picture caught his eye.
How was he going to tell her?
The rain was cascading in rivulets down the lens of the camera when the picture had been taken. Summer was standing there, hair wet and plastered to her face, clothes dark and drenched. Seth thought she looked absolutely beautiful in the picture, maybe the most beautiful she'd ever looked.
Logging off his computer, Seth picked up his briefcase and dimmed the lights in the office.
"I'm out, Rita," he told his secretary, who was busy typing up Seth's notes for the big case next week.
"Give Summer my love," Rita waved, never ceasing her furious pecking at the keyboard.
Seth saluted and walked into the hall, waiting for the elevator. He rode down—alone, thankfully—and contemplated telling Summer now, or later.
He decided that sooner was better than later, although he would've preferred never.
It was too precious an opportunity to pass up. But Seth couldn't expect Summer to feel the same way, or even understand. Her whole life being based in Chicago, her job going so well…he couldn't ask her, or expect her to give all that up.
Still, Seth dreaded telling the love of his life.
She picked up on the first ring. "Sum?"
"Hey, Cohen." The nickname that used to cause Seth so much pain was now a term of endearment.
"Listen," Seth paused, "Why don't you meet me at Hibachi? We can have a little dinner, maybe go to a movie…"
"Okay," Summer agreed. "See you there in twenty."
Seth prayed she would be in a good mood when he broke the news to her. He was pretty sure whatever mood she was in would quickly deteriorate once she found out.
Seth nervously cracked his knuckles. Summer hated the habit he'd picked up from his college roommate, but to Seth it was a stress reliever. Now, he wasn't so sure about that. Because he'd cracked his knuckles until they were all cracked out and he was still anxious.
"You didn't order yet, did you?" Summer asked, slinging her purse around the back of her chair and sitting down. She reached across the table for Seth's hand, and he leaned forward for a kiss.
"I was waiting for you," Seth smiled, heat rising to his face.
Dressed in a kimono, the waitress came to take their order. After the meal, Seth sipped his coffee, while Summer ordered green tea.
It was now, or never.
And never wasn't an option.
"Summer," Seth set his coffee down on the table. He took her hand and held it tight. "You know how important my job is to me, right?"
Summer nodded. "Yes, sweetie. Almost as important as me."
Uncomfortably, Seth laughed at her little joke. "That's right," he affirmed. "I got a promotion, Sum."
"That's great!" Summer gave Seth's hand a reassuring squeeze.
"In New York," Seth finished weakly. The shadow of the candle on the table flickered across Summer's crestfallen face.
"You didn't take it, did you? You turned them down…oh Seth, you're not going, are you?" Summer whispered, and Seth was painfully aware of Summer's opinion.
He remembered the day she'd promised to follow him anywhere, in the airport by the magazine stop.
And she had. Three months later Summer decided to relocate her business to Chicago. She claimed it was a better market in Chicago, but both she and Seth knew that that wasn't the primary reason. The reason was him.
Would she follow him again? Seth wasn't sure. Summer's business was flourishing. They were opening two more stores in Chicago and one in Seattle before the end of the year.
Seth couldn't ask her to do that.
"I'm sorry," Seth mumbled. "We'll work this out, won't we, Summer?"
Summer stood up curtly, gathered her things, and bid Seth goodbye.
"I guess it wasn't meant to be," she stated. "Good luck, Seth."
"Will that be credit card or cash?" the waitress walked over to the table, oblivious to the crushing breakup.
Actually, Seth was surprised Summer hadn't blown up at him.
She hadn't voiced her disappointment and hurt, although her eyes betrayed her feelings.
She hadn't even talked it over with him. Just a simple good luck, Seth and she'd walked out of his life.
That was it.
Seth felt strangely empty.
He handed his Amex to the woman and stared out the window. It was pouring.
Seth remembered the absence of Summer's coat, and wondered if he should go after her.
Knowing Summer, she'd stubbornly refuse to take a taxi, and walk home. Then she'd get the flu and be miserable, not that she already wasn't.
But she obviously didn't want Seth to run after her. What good would that do? He was still leaving, leaving her, leaving Chicago, and, in Summer's just opinion, leaving the only chance he'd ever had at a happy future.
Seth himself opted for the Summer means of transportation.
He walked home on the surprisingly deserted streets, barely seeing two feet in front of him. As if the rain wasn't pouring from the dark, cloudy skies, Seth could only see one image when he opened his eyes.
Summer.
Today was supposed to be a joyous day, with celebrating and preparations.
While he'd gotten the job he'd been seeking for so many months, Seth had lost the girl.
Not just any girl.
Summer.
Seth had an important question to ask himself: Was New York really worth it?