Page 215 of The Path to Loving Him
Aubree:I see it more as when Cassidy passed, we were put in a situation where we needed to grow, to learn, and to find our own way. And one of those ways was closer to each other. I don’t think we would have just automatically come together.Look at how it was before Hattie came back home. We still weren’t communicating like we are now.
Hattie:Maybe we had to find our person to open up to each other.
Ryland:We were pretty open . . . more hostile.
Aubree:Maybe we needed to be reminded what love is, so we could love each other again.
Hattie:See . . . you’re wiser. Wyatt really has changed you because that’s right on the money. We had to be reminded what love is to love each other.
Ryland:I hate to admit it, but I think you’re right, Aubree. I know that I’ve always loved you two and I’d do anything for you, but Gabby has opened me up in a way that I never knew was possible. It’s as if she lifted my head and said, look, there’s a world around you. You don’t always have to be go, go, go.
Aubree:She’s right. Wyatt is right. Hayes is right. I think, in a way, Cassidy pulled us together so unexpectedly, but in such a Cassidy manner.
Ryland:She did.
Hattie:I miss her so fucking much.
Aubree:Same. I still ache when I think about her.
Ryland:She would have been so happy to see me with Gabby and see how Gabby has taken to Mac.
Hattie:She would have salivated over Hayes and how I was able to win over the brother’s ex-best friend.
Aubree:She would have had a heart attack over the marriage of convenience.
Ryland:Like me?
Hattie:Yes, but she also would have had that fairy-tale look in her eyes where she hoped and dreamed it would have turned into something much more. Because she was a lover of love.
Aubree:And because of that love, look at where we are now.
Ryland:Yeah . . . look at us.
Hattie:Some might say at this moment, we made her proud.
Chapter Thirty-Two
GABBY
This is perfect.
Everything about this is perfect.
I’m in the backyard. The crickets are chirping all around, a citronella candle blinks with fire in front of me, and Ryland’s in the house, putting Mac to bed so he can come out here and enjoy the night.
The only thing not perfect about it . . . the Bombers must win the next three games if they want to be in contention for the wild card game. It’s been a real nail-biter, but at least—despite the Bombers not making the wins happen—Bennett has been performing and had two RBIs the other night. He already has a following with the unruly fans, and I think his future with the team could be very promising. At least I hope it is.
I cross one leg over the other and lean back in my chair as I stare through the branches of the oak tree and right up to the sky, thinking about how far I’ve come. How I’ve been able to face adversity and?—
Ding.
I glance down at a text message popping up on the screen. Worried that it’s Ryland and he needs help, I open the text message.
Nathan:Gabriel Brinkman, the one and only. Why haven’t you texted me back?
My skin starts to crawl.
And just like every other time, I know what my response will be. Nothing.
