Page 251 of Now and Forever

Chapter 88

A

s much as I wanted to confront Archer face to face, I knew it would be close to impossible since his hectic schedule was jam-packed with parties. So I had to settle for the second best, by calling him.

“I knew you’d eventually take a liking to me,” he drawled, greeting me with great enthusiasm.

I had to break into a smile. Archer’s bright and sunny demeanor never failed to make me grin. But as much as I adored his upbeat outlook in life, I needed to do some digging of my own. “Was it you who gave my number to Ivy?”

He cackled. “Guilty as charged. Listen, she called wanting to ask me about such and such. I don’t fancy intricate dramas so I try to deflect them as much as possible…so I dare say I suggested she call you instead.”

“Well gee—thanks,” I sarcastically said.

“Anything else you want to get off your chest, love?” he teased with double innuendo.

“Not a damn thing.” And just as expected, he’d turn everything sexual. Typical.

“You’ve been rather busy lately…and my dearest brother is quite the single chap…” he trailed off, wriggling his brows at me, suspicious. “The possibilities are endless; wouldn’t you agree?”

“Ugh—shut up.” I laughed before bidding him goodbye. The last thing I needed was for him to pry into my business. He wasn’t stupid. I was almost sure he knew something was going on between with his brother and I. I was grateful that he didn’t readily accuse me of anything. In fact, he seemed as though he was somehow pleased. Odd really, but he sure sounded teasing about the whole damn thing.

I was about to put my phone aside when it rang again, indicating a U.S. number—one where I had obsessed and memorized into memory at one sad point in my life. Aaron had been incessant in trying to reach me and it seemed my short email didn’t do much to convey how I felt for him these days. Deciding to take the call, I held my breath and greeted him with a stale, “Hello.”

“Serena—thank you for taking my call,” he said in an appreciative tone.

So much had happened...and there was no taking back the hurt he caused me with. The past was where I needed it to stay—in the past. Aaron surely had no place in my present nor in my future. Even toying with the idea of being friends simply wasn’t all that feasible for me. It was over and it was best to let the dead relationship stay as it was. “Aaron—listen. I know you’ve been trying to call and whatever but you’ve got to stop all of this. If you’re feeling guilty still…there’s nothing I can do for you. It was your choice, your mistake so that’s purely up to you to get over the guilt. I’ve moved on with someone else—so please stop it with all of this. I beg you.”

“I’m really sorry,” he sighed as if he had a difficult time grasping what I just told him. “I do feel guilty. You were such a great girl and I fucked it all up. You’re right this is all on me. I just want to say that…hopefully…one day you can find it in your heart to forgive me for everything.”

“I already did, Aaron. I never truly hated you for it…thank you for calling me though. I think this conversation really needed to happen, for both our sakes.”

After wishing each other the best, we ended the call.

It was bittersweet to think about the past but I was in a much happier place now. I wouldn’t trade this for anything else in the world. Cruz had gifted me one of the greatest things in life—by proving me that it was possible to love again after heartbreak.

My jealousy paved my way to enlightment. For quite some time, I had fought our feelings for one another but I hadn’t realized that letting all of my insecurities was actually the easiest thing I ever did. I learned the most valuable of lessons…that love, the kind that lights your soul and makes your heart sing, was worth risking for. Every. Single. Time.

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