Page 82 of Still The One

‘Probably not.’

She rolls her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. ‘I like him,’ she says with a wistful smile, her features softening.

‘You know he’s gay, right?’ I ask with a raised eyebrow, catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

Her expression turns contemplative as she gazes at me through the reflection. ‘Not Phil –Foster.’

Foster! Duh.Hello, rum.I pause, taken aback by her statement. ‘But you barely know him.’

‘We’ve been talking about the guy for five years, so I sort of feel like I do. Now witnessing you two together, while he’s conscious, I can see the potential for something amazing between you.’

Her words linger in the air, causing my heart to flutter with possibility. My mind is racing with thoughts of Foster and the chemistry that seems to crackle between us whenever we’re near each other.

‘Perhaps you’re picking up on the intoxicating allure of attraction? We definitely have that.’

Her head shakes with certainty, dismissing the possibility. ‘Nope. You probably won’t be surprised to know that Phil and I have been eavesdropping on your conversation and we agree, he’s completely smitten with you. It’s glaringly obvious. The words pouring from his lips, the way his body leans toward yours, the intensity in his gaze.’ A heavy, longing sigh escapes her lips. ‘It’s the same gaze I ache for from a man, Eve. I truly believe you should listen to your heart.’

I let out an exasperated groan, my hands clutching the edges of the bathroom counter for support. Somehow I knew this was where this was leading.

‘What if I follow my heart, and once again he chooses himself over us? I can’t go through that twice. Fool me once and all that crap.’

‘What’s that old saying? “It’s better to have loved and lost than to never love at all”?’

‘Ihaveloved him.AndI lost.’

‘Maybe the timing was off?’ Gen suggests, trying to offer some comfort. ‘I mean, most people don’t meet and get married within a month. Maybe you needed to be older so you could figure out the details.’

Our whirlwind romance flashes in my mind – the spontaneous proposal, the rush to the altar, and now the bitter aftermath. Was it all just too good to be true? And if so, why was that kiss the best one I ever remember having with him, including on our wedding day?

‘Are you suggesting we forget our past like dust in the wind and pretend we don’t live on opposite ends of the country? That I once again play the role of lonely housewife while he chases his dreams?’

Gen furrows her perfectly arched brows, her expression conveying a mix of pity and disbelief. It’s as if she thinks I’m the most naive and foolish girl on the planet.

‘You know, people make long-distance relationships work all the time,’ she says in a tone that is both reassuring and patronizing. ‘I have no doubt you’ll figure out the logistics and eventually live happily ever after – but like anything else, it’s going to take some work frombothof you. You can’t just expect him to give up his life for you, either. Can you?’

‘No.’

Damn her, being all sensible. Her words hold a glimmer of hope, but my heart feels heavy with doubt and uncertainty.

‘Let me ask you this,’ she says, turning to face me. ‘Do you still love him?’

My heart clenches at the question, the answer obvious yet complicated. In the quiet restroom, with only Gen’s expectant gaze on me, I finally admit, ‘Yes, a part of me will alwayslove him. But love isn’t always enough, you know? Sometimes careers, distance and life get in the way.’

Gen nods in understanding, her expression softening with empathy. She reaches out and gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. ‘Love is messy, complicated and rarely simple – no matter who it is. But don’t let fear keep you from taking a chance on something that could make you truly happy. I see that in you when you’re with him. The day he came into the trauma room, I wondered if you’d be able to keep it together. You looked like you’d seen a ghost. And tonight, when he walked in behind me, you lit up. I’ve never witnessed that in you. Maybe he deserves a second chance.’

The sound of muffled laughter and chatter from outside the restroom seeps through the door, a stark contrast to the intimacy of our conversation. I meet my own gaze in the mirror, searching for clarity amidst the swirl of conflicting emotions within me. Does he?

‘You’re right,’ I say, not thinking it through one bit, just going with my gut. A feeling of determination washes over me. What am I so afraid of? ‘I can’t let fear dictate my choices any more.’

Her hands clap together with a sharp, crisp sound in front of her chest. ‘Now take that handsome boy home and savor every moment while he’s here. Life is too short to waste on things you’ll never get back,’ she says with urgency. Her eyes shine with the wisdom of someone who has learned this lesson the hard way.

29

GUY ‘FOSTER’

As I stand in her kitchen, I can’t help but feel nervous under her intense gaze. My eyes dart to the fridge, though I’m not even hungry. I just need something to distract me from this awkward moment.

Eve paces back and forth in the tiny living room, fiddling with the ring on her finger. The silence between us is palpable, weighing heavily on my shoulders like a thick fog. Finally, Eve speaks up.

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