“Thanks for letting me tag along,” Fisher said when I dropped him off at his house a little before three in the afternoon.
“Thanks for lunch. You didn’t have to pay.”
He ducked his head back into my car and grinned. “I invited myself. It was the least I could do.” He winked.
THAT. That was almost too much. Tears came out of nowhere, sending me fumbling for my sunglasses.
“Well …” I fumbled my words like my fingers fumbled my glasses. “Have a good rest of your day.”
“I’ll have a good enough day.” He shut the door.
I made it out of his driveway and about ten feet down the street before my tears escaped on a heavy blink. Why did he have to wink at me?
Why did he have to be so fun and goofy in Target?
Why did he have to be so interested in my trip to Thailand, so interested in me?
Chapter Ten
Sunday morning brought an unexpected guest to our house. I had just returned from my morning jog. Three long faces at the kitchen table greeted me.
Rory. Rose. And Angie.
“Hey,” I said with caution.
“How was your run?” Rory asked.
“Fine,” I replied slowly, filling a glass with water. “Is … everything okay?”
“Fisher suggested Angie move out and they date again.” Just Rose giving me the quick explanation made Angie cry. Again, I assumed.
“Oh.” That was the best I had, but I dug deeper for more. “Well, I’m sure that’s hard to hear. But he’s not saying he doesn’t want you. And it’s impossible for any of us to put ourselves in Fisher’s shoes. But I’d imagine he’s feeling overwhelmed.”
“And how do you think I’m feeling?” Angie cried.
Rory frowned at me like it was my fault.
“I imagine you’re feeling scared. Grateful that you didn’t lose him in that accident, yet you did lose him in many ways. It’s like the family of someone with Alzheimer’s. You realize that all the pictures and souvenirs from life mean nothing without the actual memories. You’re a stranger to the person you love most in the world. And falling in love with someone is like offering a part of yourself to them. If Fisher doesn’t recognize you, it’s like you’re missing a part of yourself. And you’re questioning who you are or who you will be if you never get that piece back. But honestly, I’d imagine your biggest fear right now is that Fisher won’t fall in love with you again.” I pressed my lips together for a few seconds. I might have gone too far. “At least, that’s how I would feel if I were in your shoes.”
Angie blinked a new round of tears as her face wrinkled. “Y-yes … that’s exactly h-how I f-feel.”
Rose hugged her. “He’ll come around. You’re a beautiful, kind, talented woman. He’d be a fool to not fall in love with you again.”
“W-what am I supposed to do…” she sniffled and wiped her face “…about the wedding? Do we cancel? We’ve put money down on a venue. A florist. I’ve bought a d-dress.”
Rory looked to me, her silent plea for help. Just because I read her mind regarding her emotions didn’t mean I had great advice for her wedding plans.
With wide eyes, I shrugged and turned my attention to the rest of the water in my glass, gulping it down. “I’m going to grab a shower. I hope it all works out how it should.”