Page 94 of Beyond Expectations

“I now work closely with various charities, raising awareness of the importance of regular testing for it. While she was pregnant, we decided to name the child Matilda if it was a girl and Matthew if it was a boy. It was a girl. So, I set up the Lucy & Matilda Foundation. I now go around the country giving talks in hospitals and pre-natal clinics and classes. I want to help prevent there from being another tragedy like mine.”

“Danny, you truly are amazing. The strength you have and what you are doing is truly remarkable. I can’t imagine what you have gone through. My dad used to say some people are stars - they’re too bright for this earth, so they go and brighten up our skies.”

“I love that, I might use that for our next campaign if that’s okay?”

“Of course. Also, please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help. Whether it’s donating, fundraising, or even offering my legal services.”

I grabbed a napkin and wrote down my number and email address.

“Thank you. I’ll definitely be in touch.”

He stood and kissed my cheek.

He began walking away towards one of the trails, but then stopped and turned.

“I meant what I said about love. If you do love this guy, then please don’t let anything get in the way. Trust me, life is too short. You must live each day to the fullest. There’s no time for regret.”

Giving me a nod, I watched as he threw his empty cup in the trash before walking back down the path to the car park. My head felt like it was going to combust. It was unbelievable how one conversation can change my perspective so much. I really couldn’t imagine what it must feel like to go through such a thing as that—losing both your partner and your child. There really can’t be anything worse in the world.

My mind began racing through every memory and experience with Rhett—the exciting and challenging times. Even though we had only been together a few months, there was no way I could deny that we had something special between us. Was it worth me risking a potential future with the man solely on the dislike and opinions of his vile ex-girlfriend and his old-fashioned mother? Didn’t we deserve the chance to give this relationship all we had? The more I think about it, the more I know Danny’s words are utterly correct. Time was something none of us could control, nor is it something we should gamble with. And the longer I let it go by, the more I was just risking it all.

My hands began to shake as I reached into my purse to grab my phone. I scrolled down to Rhett’s number, I knew what I must do. Pressing the call button, I put the handset to my ear.

I listened as it rang three times, then suddenly went to the answering machine. I didn’t know if he cut my call or if I miscounted the rings. Scrambling, I tried to find the right words to say. Taking a deep breath, I left him a message.

“Rhett, it’s me. I’d ask how you’re doing, but that’s a stupid question. I’m visiting my dad and bumped into an old friend from high school. We were catching up and talking about our lives and plans for the future, which made me think about my own. I know I’m babbling on, but I just wanted to talk to you. There’s something I need to tell you. I understand you probably don’t want to talk to me right now, but I’d appreciate it if you’d give me a chance and hear me out. Thanks.”

I cut the call and began kicking myself at how stupid I sounded. I was a goddamn lawyer, and talking was one of my strong suits. Obviously, not at times when it mattered.

Suddenly, panic rose in my throat. What if I was right that he had cut my call? What if he wanted nothing more to do with me? What if he’d already moved on? Hitting his number again, I call him back. I knew it seemed irrational, but part of me needed to know.

It went straight to his voicemail.

He was done.

He didn’t want to speak to me.

Maybe, in this case, love wasn’t enough. Perhaps it wasn’t really love. Tears began to fall down my face once more. I sat there in utter silence for what seemed like an eternity.

Once the tears had finally stopped, I started thinking that maybe I needed to get away. Not just like this weekend.

I never took a gap year between studies. Maybe I should take Danny’s advice and go traveling? I’d always wanted to go and visit the vineyards in Italy, see the Eiffel Tower, and swim in the Red Sea. I could even try out a beach Christmas in Australia.

If Rhett didn’t want to speak to me now, how was time going to make things any better?

Maybe now was the time to fully accept everything and move on. Move on with my life—a life without him. Focus on what was good in my life—not thinking about what I was missing, not let others dictate and influence who I am and what I am worth.

Chapter 27

Rhett

It’s only 10:34 a.m. on Monday, and the day already felt like it would never end. I basically drank myself into oblivion for most of the weekend.

Dominic turned up at my place on Saturday night in a vain attempt at cheering me up. In a way, he did, as he brought over some beers, and we watched the fight. I suggested going out after and was the one who ordered the bottle of vodka. That wasn’t such a clever idea.

Of course, being two guys spending lots of money, we weren’t short of female attention. Dom was lapping it up. But despite the attempts of the Victoria’s Secret model who’d whispered the dirtiest shit into my ear a man could imagine, all I could think about and want was Serena.

I slept off most of Sunday, and when I finally woke up, I went swimming. The water gave me the first bit of calm and solace I had felt in days. My lungs were heaving for air, and my arms and legs were burning. I could tell I had been slacking as I hadn’t swum in over a week, and my body felt it. After about an hour, I gave in. My body was screaming. So, I showered, ordered from my favorite Italian restaurant, and passed out again.

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