Page 24 of Endless Love

“I bet you googled every single one.”

I dip my head and fidget with my fingers. “Yes, and I’m not proud of it.”

“It was meant as a joke. Still fresh, I guess.”

“It’s okay, but I would prefer never to meet one in person.” She leans in the seat and purses her lips.

“Good luck with that.”

She mouths sorry, but we both know there’s nothing to soothe it. It’s his past, and I have to face it. Am I ready? Absolutely not, but I accept him the way he is, including a chapter I would have preferred to skip.

“Why do you torment yourself?”

“I . . .”

“It was always you in his mind, heart, and even body. I was a front row witness and let me assure you, my brother has loved only one woman . . . you.” I take a sip of the coffee, peering at her through my lashes.

“Do you really believe it?” She rolls her eyes at me and waves me off.

“Bria, don’t be stupid.”

Her harsh words send a bolt of realization to my mind. Nothing that happened in the absence of the other matters. We found our way back, our love is stronger than ever. Damien and I have loved each other since the beginning of us, and even with all the changes we went through, that love never stopped.

“Thank you, I needed that.”

“No one could ever come close to you for my brother, not even Chloe.” I stroke the rim of the cup and sigh.

“I’m sure she’d have made him happy.”

Her electric blue eyes crash on mine and she says,“She wasn’t you. My brother didn’t want someone else, he wanted you, and because he didn’t get to have you, he took everything others offered him.” I don’t answer, afraid my voice will betray how it still affects me, knowing that someone else could have taken my place.

“Chloe is the only one smart enough to realize it. That’s why she is a constant in his life.”

“I met her.” I place the cup on the table and Sophia’s eyes fill with curiosity. “Yes, the night when I snuck out. She left a strong impression behind her.”

“Not only to you,” she says, deep in thought. She bends over and asks, “And?”

“I have no idea if she loves him romantically or platonically. I’m still deciding, but she has my gratitude for being there for him.”

“She didn’t succeed, and if she didn’t, then there was no one else. Don’t worry about Chloe, trust me. I know what I’m talking about.”

I nod, and then ask, “How is my team?”

“I secretly counted the minutes until you would start asking about work.” She chuckles and adds, “They are amazing, and Emma’s almost your mini-me. They’re your clones, you workaholic highness.”

“I used to be one. I’m not sure anymore though.”

“Life is more than work. Enjoy it,” she encourages while I stare out the window watching boats gliding on the lake, swans getting out of the way.

“It’s awkward, as if I did everything backward. I dove right into responsibilities without having a youth. It was like one day I was a teenager, and the next, I was a forty-one-year-old manager-boss.”

“I’m sure this break will do you good. How are things between you and Filip?”

“I called him, and it wasn’t as bad as I expected. He’s him, great, trying. Conversation is stilted, even a bit odd, but we’ll get there.”

“Good.”

“It was difficult for Filip and you, wasn’t it? In our pain, Damien and I were selfish. We didn’t suffer alone because our selfishness hurt you both too.”

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