Page 150 of Keep This Promise
I latch on to the first part of his statement. “He was. He was the best, and while we never had a marriage in truth, we were the best part of a marriage.” A tear forms, and I turn away. I don’t know how to go on in this world without Theo.
“I am going to assume he passed away from that heart condition,” Holden says before placing his hand on my shoulder.
I turn to look at him, my blurry vision masking his attractive face. “Four days ago, and...that’s when I came here on his request.”
“Four days?” Holden’s eyes widen.
“Yes, there’s more to this story, clearly, but I was told to follow every instruction along the way, and it led me here.”
“So, he knew who I was?”
I laugh without humor. “It appears so.”
“Wow.” He scratches the back of his head. “I don’t know what to say.”
“I don’t either. I am still not sure what exactly is happening.”
Four days ago, I was married and living in Kensington. I had a beautiful home, friends, and most of all, I was safe.
Now that’s all gone. Every part of my existence has died, and I am lost.
Holden nods. “How are you doing so far?”
“Not very well. I mean, it was just the holidays, and now we’re . . . here. So, no, I’m not doing very well.”
He smiles. “I didn’t think so. So, what exactly are you supposed to do now?”
All I was told was to come here and find him, so I was hoping he was the plan or knew what was next. “You tell me.”
“Umm, I don’t know. I didn’t even know you were coming or that you existed. Well, I knew you existed since we”—he glances over at Eden—“we’ve met, but I didn’t know your name, and honestly, we were both pretty drunk. Half the time, I have thought I hallucinated our...encounter.”
I was definitely not at my best that night. I came to Las Vegas on holiday with my flat mate. It was meant to be a trip to remember. We had fun, and I was enjoying myself, but on our final day there, Mum called and picked a fight because I left London without permission, as if I weren’t a twenty-three-year-old adult. She ranted about it being irresponsible for me to take a week to enjoy my life. I graduated top of my class at university and deserved a bit of fun, but that didn’t seem to matter to her. It had put me in a sour mood, but it was our last night in the States, so I agreed to go to Garden of Eden with Joanne and have a good time.
I got that and a whole lot more—a baby after a one-night stand in a toilet.
“Do you have a letter or instructions?”
Holden shakes his head. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Theo provided everyone we met along the way with some kind of plan. I assumed you had one.”
“I’m sorry to say that I have no plan.”
Great. As if this could be a bigger mess . . .
“I don’t know anything about you other than you’re a doctor. Are you married? Do you have other children?”
He shakes his head. “Nope to either of those.”
That, at least, is something. I start to ask if he’s dating since I can’t imagine an attractive doctor is single, but before I can, Eden gets up and walks over to us. “Who are you?”
My heart begins to race, and I look at him. “This is our friend, Holden. Can you say hello?”
She leans against me but waves. “Hello.”
He drops down to her eye level. “Hey, there. Did you color that page?”
She shows him. “It’s for my daddy. He’s sick.”
