Page 8 of Fight for You

She puts her hand on mine. “We won’t let that happen.”

I am freaking out about this and all the doubts are creeping in. My grandmother bought the bookstore three months before she passed and left it to me. The loan transferred to my name, and when I left Lawson Ridge, Lauren was supposed to run it, but clearly she didn’t do a good job.

“On another note, there’s something else I need to tell you.” I roll my eyes at the volume of the espresso machine. “I ran into Leo yesterday.”

Candace leans forward in her chair, her blue eyes widen. “What happened? Are you okay? Oh my god I need all the details right this second.”

I sigh, my fingers tracing the rim of the cup. “I’m fine physically... but emotionally. I’m all over the place.” I pause, taking a deep breath before continuing. “Leo was so sweet and understanding, but I can’t help but feel like if I let myself fall for him, history will repeat itself. I’m terrified.”

She reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “I’m here for you. What exactly happened?”

“Well, I was at the bar having a drink and he came in. At first, it was kind of hostile… I mean, I did up and leave him, but he walked me home and we reconnected.”

Leo has always been the man pictured by my side. The man who would be the father of my children someday… but when push came to shove, I ran away. The fucked up situation with my parents had always ruined things for me, but I thought it would be different with him, but I let my doubts get the best of me.

“Leo is a perceptive guy. So, what did you tell him?”

I take another sip of my coffee, trying to give me a moment to fight back tears. That morning was one of the worst and I hated reliving it. “I told him we were getting too close, and I ran because I was scared to let someone in.,” I admit, eyes welling up. “What if I let him in now, and he hurts me like my crazy ex-husband did? I can’t go through it again.”

When I left Leo behind, I had no idea I’d meet someone so quick. Especially someone who knew nothing about me or my past. I think that is what drew me to him. The chance to start over and be whoever I wanted to be.

Candace reaches across the table to wipe away my tears. “You’re one of the strongest people, but I understand your fears. It’s natural to be afraid of what you’ve been through. Let’s tryto focus on the positives here. How does he make you feel when you’re together?”

“Well, he makes me feel... safe, I guess. And he’s so easy to talk to. No one knows me like him.”

“See?” Candace says, smiling. “Those are all amazing qualities in a partner. Leo cares about you, Brylee. And while it’s scary to open yourself up to someone again, it’s important to remember not every relationship will end the way your marriage did. You deserve to be happy and loved, and Leo might be the person who can give you that. Who knows how things would have turned out if you hadn’t run that day.”

Fidgeting with the silver ring on my finger. “I don’t know,” I admit. “What if I’m setting myself up for more heartbreak? What if I let him in, only to be rejected or hurt again?”

Candace leans forward. “It’s scary. But sometimes, we have to take risks in order to find happiness. You can’t let your past dictate your future.”

I bite my lip. “But what if...”

“Remember when I decided to apply for the nursing position at the hospital?” Candace interrupts. “I was terrified of leaving my comfort zone and unsure whether I could handle the responsibility. But you were there, encouraging me every step of the way. And now, I love my job and can’t imagine doing anything else.”

I nod, recalling the countless late-night conversations. “Yeah, I remember. It was a big risk, but it paid off for you.”

“Exactly! And all the other times we’ve taken leaps of faith together, like when we went skydiving for my birthday or backpacking through Europe right after college. Those experiences shaped who we are today, didn’t they?”

A small smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. “They sure did.” The adrenaline rush of jumping out of a plane, feeling the wind on my face, and screaming came back to mind. The sunsetsover foreign cities, the laughter we shared while navigating unfamiliar streets together… those trips were a way to help myself get past my past and move on.

“Life is full of risks,” Candace continues, her voice full of conviction. “And while some may lead to pain or disappointment, others can bring us unimaginable happiness and growth. You’ll never know unless you try.”

“Maybe it is worth exploring these feelings for Leo. I... I just don’t want to get hurt again.”

“Nobody wants to get hurt, but love is never without risk,” Candace responds, reaching across the table to give my hand a reassuring squeeze. “But with those risks come rewards, too. The joy, the passion, the connection—all the things that make life worth living.”

With a nod, I glance back at my coffee, the frothy heart disappeared, blending with the dark liquid. The universe is teaching me that moments of beauty can vanish if I don’t seize them.

No matter what the universe is trying to tell me… I will not rush into another relationship. First, I need to fix myself before I can open myself to someone else.

Leo deserves someone who is all-in.

7

Leo

Seated in the corner booth of Miles’ bar, I savor my whiskey. The glass is restless in my hands, exposing my uncharacteristic lack of composure. Sitting beside me is Nina, her smile offering comfort. Last night lingers in my thoughts, but I am torn. The universe finally grants my wish and brings her back, but now I am questioning my feelings.

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