Page 22 of When We Meet Again

“You’re not breakable, Kensi. We’re just going through it. Soon enough, it will get easier. It will never hurt less, but it will be easier to deal with,” Roman comforts me.

I try to pretend like I didn’t just feel something in his touch. “I just need to getout-out more.”

“Out-out,” he parrots, winks at me, and I melt.

“What’s the hang-up about the trip? Is it money? Because if it is, Patrick already paid for it.”

I turn to face him on the couch, not moving back, which is putting little space between our faces.

“Patrickplanned it?” I look at him, visibly confused, but his smile fades as he avoids meeting my eye.

“Umm,” he says, quietly, as if he’s debating whether to tell me the truth. But if he’s learned anything about me, it’s that I hate lies. And I can spot them from a mile away.

“You paid for it, didn’t you?” And it suddenly dawns on me. “Youplanned it. Patrick paid for it.”

He finally looks at me with…is that pity?

I chew the inside of my cheek, now happy that I brushed my teeth since we’re sitting so close to each other. The thought of being in forced proximity with Roman causes butterflies in my stomach. Getting away from Venice Beach and to a destination that’s mutually new for us, I feel like that’s what romantic movies are made of. As much as I want to say I’m going becausePatrick paid, I’d be lying. It takes a hell of a lot more work to plan something than it does to hand over a credit card.

“Okay. I’ll go. Because you both were trying to make my fortieth birthday special. And because I want to start trying to be fun me again.”

Dearest Waverly,

Stay aware that all things change. If you realize this, you will

no longer hold on to anything. Being afraid of dying prevents you from achieving.

What happens when we die, you ask? “Death is the vehicle that takes us back to our Source of being.” -Dr. Wayne W. Dyer.

We are forever changing. For instance, your mentality and your body have changed since the last letter you received from me. We live in an ever-modifying world, and the sooner you recognize that death is actually a beautiful thing when it happens naturally, the sooner you will eliminate your death anxiety.

When you’re in the middle of the ocean, don’t fear it. Let it inside of you. Watch the water change constantly. Be the ocean; constantly just existing. Enjoy the moments you have with the people you choose to surround yourself with. Allow yourself to be happy.

If you simply exist and accept things you cannot change, you will find the ultimate gift.

Happy 40th Birthday,

Tom

CHAPTER 13

ROMAN

Another bucket list item is about to be checked off Waverly’s list. I’m picking her up on my motorcycle early tomorrow morning and taking her to the airport. I had one of the guys who works for my company pick up her luggage ahead of time and drop it off at the jet. My father insisted on us taking our family plane so we could have a more relaxing time instead of ‘shoving into a commercial flight like sardines’. His words, not mine. Since the boat is docked off the coast of Italy half of the year, my parents are barely around. Always floating somewhere away from the states.

“Bro. You going to fuck the cougar?” Hendrix elbows me.

I put my beer down on the bar with a little more force than intended. “Would you stop calling her that?” He’s starting to piss me off. That first night was a mishap. He shouldn’t have said what he said, but we squashed it. But bringing it up again, it’s not cool.

“I’m sorry, but you’re twenty-four, Hux. Nothing wrong with mixing business and pleasure.” He shrugs and takes a swig of his beer.

“It’s different with her.” For some reason, my brain thinks it’s okay to open up to this animal.

“How so?” His head swivels to me, willing to listen.

I shake my head. “Imagine you’re out at a bar with your brother and you see this woman. She’s glowing. She has a smile that would brighten even the darkest of days. A laugh that’s contagious, and you don’t even know what she’s saying because you’re too far away to hear.”

Hendrix nods, following. It’s probably easier because, like me, Hendrix is the youngest sibling.

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