Page 103 of When Love Is Lost and Found

"Pardon me?"

"We can start over."

"Really?" I ask, feeling like the luckiest man on the planet.

"Yes, really," her shy smile is enough to make my heart soar with happiness.

"Can I touch you?" After four years, I feel the need to ask her for permission.

"Yes."

I reach for her hand and bring it to my lips. "I'm so, so sorry. I've been such an idiot."

"I'm sorry too," she says. "I missed you so much."

"I miss you, Sharon. My life is not complete without you."

I take a step closer until we're only inches apart. All the anger, resentment, pride, hurt, and doubts of the past four years melt away when I wrap my arms around her and pull her close. She throws her arms around me. I hold her tight against me, inhaling the scent of her shampoo and feeling the warmth of her body next to mine.

I pull away just enough to look into her eyes and trace her lips with my thumb. Her gaze never leaves mine.

"What are you waiting for?" a voice comes from down the hall. "Kiss her!"

"That's my best friend, Betty."

"Betty doesn't like me," I smile, shaking my head.

"I like you."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive," her smile--God, her smile is all I need to know all is forgiven.

"Can I kiss you?"

"Like Betty said, what are you waiting for?"

***

Sharon and I go to my parents' house, where we talk for several hours. We discuss the last four years, telling each other everything down to the last detail.

We're sitting close together on the couch, holding hands, and Sharon has her head on my shoulder. If I died now, I'd die a happy man.

"I love you, Sharon."

"I love you too," she says, tilting her head so she can look at me.

"Do you think you can love me the same way you loved Jimmy?"

"You don't want me to love you the way I loved him," her gaze is so sincere I can feel it in my soul. "Just like I don't want you to love me the way you loved Susan."

"I was never in love with Susan. I never understood that until I met you."

"When I'm with you," she continues, "I feel like I can climb to the peak of the tallest mountain and stand on the edge without any fear of stumbling. And you know how much I hate heights. As my first love and the love I lost forever, Jimmy will always have a special place in my heart."

"I appreciate your honesty, but where does that leave me?"

She sits up so she can face me.

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