Page 93 of Trials of a One Night Stand
I need to fix this now, but… “It might be too late. I’ve made so many mistakes.”
My friends nod, making me think I’ve got no chance. If that’s true…
“Look,” Christina says, her tone gentle. “We all make mistakes. Remember when you had to kick me off the Orchid trial because of what I’d done? But thankfully, my mistake didn’t keep me from being with Bradley, which goes to show you it’s how we fix our mistakes that really matters.”
I nod, the weight of my actions settling heavily on my shoulders. “I assumed…I thought she wanted the same things I did. I never asked her, though.”
“You’re used to calling the shots,” Chloe says.
“And thinking you know what people need better than they do,” Sam adds.
Hildy nods. “Without taking the time to find out if you’re right.”
“You can’t control everything, Nate.” Zelda leans her shoulder into me. “And that’s a hard lesson to learn.”
I glance at Ashton, who wears an I-told-you-so expression. “My brother has mentioned that to me a few times.”
Ashton shakes his head. “Try many times.”
“Good job, babe.” Chloe rises onto her tiptoes and kisses Ashton’s cheek. “I’m so proud of you for seeing that. I hope Nate hears what we’re saying to him.”
Her words hit home, and a mix of shame and gratitude washes over me. These friends and family members are here when they could be anywhere else, including home in New Zealand. They care enough to call me out on my bullshit to my face. That has to mean something.
It means the world.
But knowing that doesn’t explain how to get Jayne back. I love her. I truly do. And I want a life with her. I want her to know I have her back however she needs me, and I want her to feel secure in that.
“So what do I do?” I hate how lost I sound. “How do I make this right with Jayne?”
The room falls silent, and I can see the gears turning in my friends’ heads.
“You start by listening, Nate,” Hildy says finally, which surprises me because she hates my guts almost as much as Sam does. “Really listening. To Jayne, to yourself, to what you both want and need.”
As I look around at my friends, their faces a mixture of support and tough love, something shifts inside me. The misery clouding my judgment clears, replaced by a glimmer of hope. I may have screwed up royally, but I can’t give up.
Not on Jayne, and not on us.
I stand abruptly, my chair crashing into the wall of windows behind me. The sound cuts through the office, and all eyes turn to me.
“You’re right.” My voice sounds stronger than it has in days, and I’m grateful for this intervention. “I need to stop feeling sorry for myself. Jayne deserves better than how I’ve treated her. She’s smart, hardworking, and has fought for everything she has. I assumed I knew better, and I…don’t.”
Applause breaks out.
Max nods with approval in his eyes. “And?”
I haven’t gotten that far, but I consider each of the couples and what they do for each other, how they each complement one another, and suddenly I know. I can’t believe I haven’t realized this sooner. “I’ll support her dreams. Whatever they might be. Even if they don’t include me.”
I hope they do, though.
“What if she plans on starting her own law firm?” Chloe asks, cluing me into what Jayne might be thinking, and I appreciate the help.
“I’ll take paternity leave. I’ll be her biggest cheerleader, her partner in every sense of the word.”
“That’s great, Nate,” Sophie says cautiously. “But are you sure you can handle not being the center of attention?”
Her question stings, but it’s fair. I’ve craved being center stage since I founded Zentello. Even before that at the various labs I was at during graduate school and post-doc. That’s why Zelda being Mr. Z while staying in the background worked so well.
“I’ll learn. Jayne’s success is more important than my ego. I want to see her thrive in her law career. And as far as Zentello, maybe it’s time for Mr. Z to step into the spotlight.”
