Page 48 of Frosty Felicity
“Yeah, yeah, yeah!” She rolled her eyes, then laughed mirthlessly. “I get it. No need to let me down hard, then easy. You can’t undo the barn door being wide open, and the horses escaping. You let me know quite clearly on Christmas night, that it was a wrap for us. Andrew said he saw you and Felicity kissing.”
He leaned back against the couch and shrugged.
“Okay…”
“He also said that she had your family laughing. A lot. Like, all night. He said… she took a piece of paper and showed him how to make an origami dragon… and he said, she’s pretty….” She gave a loud exhale. “Every time he mentioned her, it killed me. I wanted her to be some monster. An ugly ogre. I wanted to know that I had the upper hand, but… I don’t.” She bit on her bottom lip. “With some of the women you dated, and I know this sounds shallow, but I felt like I was better in some way. Prettier. Or more educated, more poised. Your girlfriend now is attractive. She’s fit. She has a good job. She’s articulate and apparently, funny as hell.” She sniffed again, and he gave her a minute. “I was the stick in the mud though, right? It doesn’t even matter. You’ve made your choice.”
She waved her hand. After a few seconds, she picked up the box on the floor beside her and got to her feet. “I’ll get going.”
Standing, he walked her to the door. When he opened it, the cool breeze beat him in the face, but it felt good, too.
“I won’t take Andrew to California.” She sighed. “At least not until he’s finished with school. You’re right. It wouldn’t be fair to him. I want to make it clear though. You are not the only reason I wanted to move away.”
He nodded, not certain he believed that, but didn’t comment on it.
She turned around and gave him a half hug.
“Thank you for the conversation… as tense as it was.” She laughed sadly. “I guess I needed closure.”
“One day, Liza, I’ll be attending your wedding. To someone else. I’ll be happy to be present because my care and love for you, as I’ve stated, will always be there.”
She reached forward, and with tears in her eyes, stroked his face.
“I believe that’ll happen, too, but knowing you, Brett, your wedding will be coming sooner than mine. I just hope I’m strong enough to do the same…”
