Page 91 of Keep My Heart
‘You’re welcome, sweetie.’
‘I’m gonna go show Daddy!’ Leah runs off.
‘She’s going to miss you,’ Diane says. ‘We all are.’
‘I’m going to miss you guys too.’
‘There isn’t any chance you’d consider moving back?’
‘I don’t know. Maybe. But what would I do here? And how would I find someone to date? The only single guys around here are either too old, too young, or friends with Chris.’
‘What about going somewhere else?’
‘I might’ve considered moving to New York if I thought Nick and I might have a chance.’
‘Did you tell him that?’
‘No. If he wanted me to move there, he would’ve asked. The fact that he didn’t tells me he doesn’t want to even try having arelationship. He’s consumed with his job and maybe that’s all he wants out of life.’
‘I don’t think that’s true. I could easily see Nick married with kids.’
‘I could too, but I don’t think that’s what he wants. Maybe this weekend is his way of telling me goodbye, for good this time. Maybe he’ll tell me he doesn’t even want to be friends.’ I fight back tears, telling myself for the millionth time that I’m not going to cry over Nick. He’s a great guy and I wish things had turned out differently between us, but I need to end this fantasy of us being together and just accept that it wasn’t meant to be.
‘I don’t think he’d come here just to tell you goodbye,’ Diane says, getting up to get some wine. ‘Want some?’
‘No, thanks.’ I watch as she pours wine in a glass. ‘Maybe when he’s here, he won’t even talk about us. Maybe last weekend didn’t mean anything to him and I’m making it into more than it was. I mean, he said he’s coming back for the reunion, not to see me.’
Diane comes back to the table, holding her wine glass. ‘We both know he’s coming to see you. The reunion is just an excuse. He didn’t even want to go.’
‘I can’t tell you how much I want to see him. He’s not even here yet and my heart’s already racing, I’m so excited.’
‘That’s why I’m worried.’ Diane takes a sip of her wine. ‘Part of me wishes he wasn’t coming.’
‘You don’t have to worry. I’m not getting my hopes up. I know Nick and I don’t have a future together, but I’m still excited to see him. I feel like it’s been months, but it hasn’t even been a week.’ I check my phone for the time. ‘He should be here by now. I wonder who’s picking him up.’
‘Probably Sawyer. Hey, Tom went to the brewery last night with some friends and said the place was packed.’
‘I’m not surprised. I think it’ll do well. It’s a fun atmosphere and the beer’s really good.’ My phone rings. I check the screen. ‘It’s him! It’s Nick!’
‘Are you going to answer it?’
‘Hey, Nick,’ I say, trying to sound cool and not crazy excited.
‘Hey, I just got into town and was wondering if you want to go to Sawyer’s for a drink. He picked me up from the airport and we’re heading back to the brewery. We can stop and get you if you want.’
‘Um, yeah, that sounds fun!’ I look at Diane. ‘But I’m not at home. I’m at Diane’s house.’
‘Perfect! We’re like a mile from there. We’ll be there in a minute.’
I end the call and jump up from my chair. ‘He’s coming to pick me up. How do I look?’
‘Great, but why is he picking you up? Where are you going?’
‘To the brewery. Sawyer got Nick at the airport and they’re heading over there. He’s going to be here in a minute.’ I look down at my baggy t-shirt and faded jeans. ‘I’m a mess. I can’t go out like this. Do you have anything I could borrow?’
She laughs. ‘You’re like three sizes smaller than me. You’d be swimming in anything of mine.’ She comes over to me, putting her arm around me as she walks me out of the kitchen. ‘You look fine.’
‘I’m not ready,’ I say, turning to her. ‘I’m not supposed to see him until tomorrow.’
