Page 58 of King

She rests her hands in her lap, her eyes moist but clear. “You never wonder about what we could be if we got back together? We have a few years of maturity on us and we were together for almost eight years. Surely that accounts for something.”

I don’t know what to say. It’s clear she’s making a pitch. “But we moved on.”

“For a time,” she admits with a nod. “But I’m different now and so are you. Maybe we could have a second chance.”

This is so out of left field. While I suspected she was feeling vulnerable and perhaps hopeful, I didn’t expect a full-out request that I consider getting back together.

“I’m with Willa now.” It’s the strongest statement I can make.

“I know. But you’ve been with her a few weeks at most. Your feelings can’t be that strong.”

“Actually, they are,” I deadpan. “You’re right. You and I are different. We’re more mature. Who we are today is based on experiences in the past and I’m sorry if this hurts, Emily, but when I say I’ve moved on, I have. I’m only looking forward and Willa is in my line of sight.”

Her face crumples, fat tears form and then spill. “I wasn’t expecting that.” She sniffles, dabs at her eyes. “I thought the years together would mean so much more.”

Maybe they would have before I met Willa. Maybe this would be a different conversation if she weren’t in the picture, but she is and there’s not one single curiosity within me as to what a rekindled relationship with Emily would look like.

“I can be your friend, Em, but that’s all it can be.”

She nods, a sad smile on her face. “Of course, I understand. I’m sorry for putting you in this position.”

“Don’t apologize,” I reassure her. “You’re understandably overwhelmed right now. And I’m glad you told me all this. I’m glad we’re talking about it.”

Emily nods again, takes one last wipe at her eyes and a deep breath. When she lets it out, she says, “I have no experience with cancer. It’s all so scary and I think the lack of understanding is what’s causing the most angst.”

I’m relieved to have her switch subjects away from us, a seeming acceptance of my letdown. “That makes sense. I’m not sure if it will help or not, but my teammate Boone’s been through a cancer ordeal with his fiancée’s little brother. I’m sure he or Lilly would be glad to talk to you about what it’s like from a family member’s perspective.”

Her eyes widen with gratitude. “Really? They’d talk to me about it?”

“I’m sure they would.”

She shares more about her mom and the treatment plan and keeps the conversation on a friendly note for the rest of the dinner. Our food arrives and we spend time catching up on each other’s lives, mostly on how our families are doing and our respective careers.

As the evening winds down, I realize that despite the emotional intensity Emily wrought, I’m glad I could be there for her as a friend.

I pay the bill and outside the restaurant, I give Emily a hug. “Stay strong, Em.”

She squeezes me briefly and steps back, tucking her hands in her coat pockets. “Thank you for listening to me, letting me rant, letting me hope for something but ever so gently letting me down. I’m happy you’re happy, Jack.”

“You’re very welcome. Keep me posted on your mom’s treatments.”

“I will.”

“Do you need me to walk you to your car or anything?” I ask.

She shakes her head, throwing her thumb over her shoulder. “I’m in a garage just across the street and down a block.”

I glance that way, noting that we’re in a good part of the city, well-lit with bustling sidewalk traffic. “Okay, then. Have a great night.”

“Good night,” she says. I wait with her at the next intersection for her to cross. She waves and then I turn for my hotel, ruminating over the conversation.

It’s all forgotten when my phone rings. Pulling it out of my back pocket, a thrill shoots through me at seeing Willa’s name. “Hey, you,” I answer. “How’s my favorite doctor?”

I’m treated to a husky laugh. “Your favorite doctor, huh? That’s romantic.”

Grinning, I step into the hotel lobby and move to an empty chair. “Well, I would have called you my favorite girlfriend, but I was afraid that would scare your relationship-averse spirit.”

“I’m not relationship averse,” she exclaims with a snort.

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