Page 1 of When Love Is Unexpected

Chapter 1

Laila

"I never meant to hurt you," I say. "I'm sorry."

My on-again-off-again boyfriend, Eric, sits across from me in a booth at one of our favorite restaurants.

"I was only gone for a week," he says. "I just bought a house, thinking it could be our home someday." I can hear the hurt and disappointment in his voice.

"Eric, I'm moving to Boston in three months."

"But when it's time to raise a family," he says, "You'll want to be here, surrounded by the people you love."

I don't argue because he's right.

"I don't want to be in a long-distance relationship," I finally say.

"Loren and Aaron did it," he says. "What do they have that we don't?"

"Please don't compare them to us," I say, "I love you, Eric, but I'm not in love with you. Deep down inside, I think we've both known that."

"You're going to throw away what we have because you're moving two hundred miles away?"

"It's not just the distance," I say. “Loren and Aaron got engaged six months after Aaron returned to Cold Spring. It took them six short months to realize they were in love and wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. We’ve been trying to figure out what this is for two years.”

"Laila, I know that what I feel for you is love," he says. He reaches for my hands, but I move them quickly from the table to my lap.

"Staying together would only prolong the inevitable," I say. "I'm sorry."

"I thank you for your honesty," he says, taking his wallet out of his back pocket and pulling out a fifty-dollar bill to pay for two cold coffees and a slice of cheesecake he never touched.

"Eric," I say, but he cuts me off before I can say anything else.

"I wish you all the best with your residency," he says. "It's what you've always wanted." He puts the money on the table and stands up.

When I don't say anything, he bends over and kisses me on the cheek.

"Goodbye, Laila."

I watch him walk away, and I take a deep, cleansing breath because I'm glad it's over.

***

When I park my car in the driveway, I spot Mom on our front porch. She's sweeping around the potted plants and flowers by the front door.

"I'm glad you're home, Sweetheart," she says in greeting. "Have you spoken to Loren today?"

"No," I say, avoiding her gaze.

"What's wrong?" she asks. Mom can read me like a book.

"I just broke up with Eric."

"How did he take it?" Mom's concern for Eric's feelings shows on her face.

"He told me he loves me," I say. "And I broke his heart anyway. I feel awful, Mom."

"You can't force something that's not there," she says.

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