Page 123 of My Silver Lining

“What? No. I never knew that.”

“Yes. He wanted to marry me when we were still in school, but it never felt right.” She shook her head and smiled. “I called it off, and then I met Louie, and everything was different. I just knew he was the one for me.”

“How did you know?” I asked because I genuinely wanted to know.

“I knew pretty quickly, and there were a few signs that sealed the deal,” she said, one brow arched as she crossed her arms over her chest, her gaze locked with mine. “First, he was the only man I ever missed when I wasn’t with him. I’d think about him all the time when he wasn’t around or if one of us was traveling.”

“That’s sweet.” I gulped down the lump in my throat.

“Secondly, the man could make me laugh. No matter what was going on, he knew just what to say to get me going. He balanced me in a way I’d never felt before. And the older you get, the more you realize how important it is to laugh as often as possible. It keeps you young.” She sighed before continuing. “And last, but certainly not least. He just got me, you know? When other people thought I was being outrageous or dramatic or I worked too much—whatever the hell they thought—he was the one person who understood me from the very beginning. And when you find someone who gets you, someone you connect with, you realize what a rarity it is, and you hold on tight.”

“What if the timing isn’t right?” I asked, my voice just above a whisper.

“Oh, darling, you worry too much. When you find it, you won’t let anything get in the way.”

But here we were.

Living on opposite sides of the world from one another.

And I hadn’t even had the courage to tell him how I felt.

thirty-three

. . .

Rafe

Bridger stoppedby to give me a ride to the hangar, as I was taking his helicopter to Magnolia Falls today. We all took turns going to Cutler’s games, and I was looking forward to seeing him play.

I was ready to get away. I had a lot on my mind, and I didn’t have a clue what I should do.

“You doing all right?” my brother asked, glancing over at my hand still wrapped in the bandage. It was pretty swollen and bruised, so I figured keeping it covered was a wise choice.

“I’m good,” I lied.

“Don’t bullshit me, brother. Tell me what the fuck is going on.” He turned down Main Street, heading toward the hangar.

“I’m just off my game lately. I don’t know what it is, but I’ll figure it out.”

He pulled into the parking lot and put the truck in park.

“How about you just tell me what’s bothering you?” he said, surprising me because Bridger wasn’t big on talking things out.

“Dude, this is not your thing.” I unbuckled my seat belt.

“The helicopter isn’t leaving until you start fucking talking, Rafe.”

I turned to face him. “My boss is a dick. He’s trying to steal my clients because he’s afraid I’ll leave him.”

“Didn’t you bring on more new clients than any other advisor this year? And don’t you bring in the most revenue?”

“Yes.”

“Well, then, this isn’t much of a shock. He’s holding on to his prize horse. Losing you will hurt him and his company.” He shrugged.

“So I’m just supposed to let him shit on me?”

Bridger rolled his eyes, not hiding his irritation. “Of fucking course not.”

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