Page 92 of The Girl He Loves
“I became interested in you and Renee by extension.” I’m careful not to use the word obsessed. I don’t want him to realize how crazy I really am. “And that’s when I decided to check out her store and your salon. I suppose I was searching for answers.”
He cocks a brow, still without words.
“It was when I saw the graduation photo of Ava at your station that I finally put two and two together, and realized she was his… the eyes, widow’s peak, chin dimple… Brian has it too. It all suddenly made sense.”
He nods again. “I see.”
“And then you invited me to your sister’s studio, and you were so nice, and I love yoga, and the rest just…” my words trail off.
“The rest just fell into place.”
“Yes… and once I got to know you, I liked you so much. I fell fast.”
He stares at me for a long beat. “I did too.”
“We had so much in common… it was inevitable.”
He nods quietly.
“I know we said we’d stay away from each other, but I’m here today because I want to know that you’re okay.”
A whisper of a smile traces his lips. “I’m okay.”
My heart swells. “Really?”
“Yeah. Ava and I have always been close. We had a big talk, and she told me that I’d always be her dad.”
“As you should be.”
“She told me that nothing would change, that she just has a new person in her life now, and that there’s plenty of space in her heart for the both of us.”
“Awww… that is so sweet. She sounds amazing.”
“She is,” he tells me. “And I’m happy that she’s finally met him. Did you know she’s known for six months that I wasn’t her biological dad. She’s been broken about it ever since. I didn’t really know what was up with her this past year. I thought it was all about her break-up. But she’s a new person now.”
“I’m so happy to hear that.”
Our sandwiches are still untouched, and silence falls over us as we both sip our Snapples quietly.
He shoots me a smile. “I’m still glad we met, Mischa.”
My heart sinks —it’s the way he says it, it’s a sweet goodbye. I don’t want to say bye to him but I know I need to. “Me too.”
“Maybe we can keep in touch on Facebook.”
I smile. “For sure,” I say, although I know I’ll be unfollowing him soon because I don’t want a constant reminder of him. I don’t want to take any risks. I have no desire to fall down that rabbit hole again.
He finally takes a bite of his roast beef sandwich, and so do I.
It’s surprisingly delicious.
* * *
Dr. Russell is absolutelystunning today — she looks like an angel. She’s wearing a long white dress, a silver belt and bohemian dangling earrings.
“How have you been, Mischa?” she asks as we both take a seat.
I stare at the photo of her cat, Lilly, a gorgeous white Persian. Every time I look at that picture, I want to hold her in my arms. “I’ve been very well.”
