Page 68 of When Love Is Unexpected

That's when I knew. Her answer was no, and at that moment, I was the one who was surprised, confused, shocked, and really embarrassed. But nothing compared to the heartbreak I felt deep inside my soul.

I haven't stepped foot in a church again.

After I eat breakfast with Tiffany and Josh, I pick up the phone in my dad's office and dial Patricia's number, which I still remember.

"Hello," she says, sounding as busy and hurried as ever. Some things never change.

"Patricia," I say, "This is—."

"Well, as I live and breathe, if it isn't my long-lost fiancé."

"Pardon me?" I ask.

"Sam," she says. "It's so good to hear your voice."

The last three words sound guttural.

"I got your message," I say.

"Messages, Babe. I must have called you a hundred times. Why didn't you respond to any of my emails?"

"Did you personally call the other nine hundred ninety-nine students in our graduating class to get their RSVP, or just me?"

"I wasn't engaged to the other hundreds of students."

"You weren't engaged to me either. You said no, remember?"

"I never said no," she retorts.

"I think it was clearly implied when you walked out of the restaurant and didn't return."

"I made a mistake," she says. "Sam, I miss you."

"Emma and Amanda said you called to ask about the reunion. I'm calling to RSVP."

"Are you bringing a date?"

"Yes, I am," I say.

"Sam, please read my emails."

"Goodbye, Patricia."

I run back upstairs and turn on my laptop. When I open my inbox, I see a few work emails sandwiched between a slew of messages from Patricia.

The subject lines on all of them reference the reunion, but when I open the first one I received two weeks ago, I realize that the purpose of her emails has nothing to do with the reunion and everything to do with us.

"Dear Sam," it reads, "I haven't been able to get your phone number from any of your family members. I hope you get this email. We need to talk."

Others I open are similar, "Dear Sam, I miss you. Call me. Forgive me. I made a mistake. I was wrong. Give me another chance. Are you going to hold a grudge forever? I'm going to win you back. As long as you're not married, I still have a chance. I still love you."

I delete the last few emails without opening them and get to work on the emails from my clients.

Chapter 15

Laila

At church, I'm introduced as Sam's girlfriend to more family members, friends, and pastors Erwin and Vanessa Duncan. Where have I heard the name Duncan before?

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