Page 101 of Bumping into You

“I’m still angry,” I say.

“As you have every right to be,” Greg says. “But give Niall another chance.”

“I can’t promise anything, but I can think about what you said.”

“Thank you. I think you’ll see that giving him a chance, even just hearing him out, will be worth it.” He stands and pulls me into a hug. “And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry for meddling and giving him a reason to lie to you in the first place.”

I hug Greg back, then thump him on the head. “I know you were doing this with the best intentions, but please never meddle in my life again.”

The next two days, I’m a mess. I work long hours during the day and toss and turn all night. I can’t get what Greg said out of my head.

Were Niall’s feelings always genuine? Does Niall truly love me?

My mind flashes back to the look on his face when I left him. Was it true sorrow and heartbreak I’d seen on his face? Not just anguish from being caught?

Taking a deep breath, I pull up my voicemails. They’ve gone down in number over the past few days, but he hasn’t missed a day yet trying to get in touch with me. The realization makes my heart thump loudly in my chest.

I pick a random voicemail from the long list and hit play. Justhearing Niall’s voice causes tears to well in my eyes. It’s a simple voicemail, asking for a chance to explain everything when I’m ready to talk. I can’t take hearing his voice again. It hurts too much, so I look through a few of the texts.

Niall

Gwendolyn, I’m sorry for hurting you. That was never my intention. Please let me explain.

Niall

Please let me know you made it home ok. I just want to make sure you are safe.

Niall

Gwen, I heard from Trent and he says you are working a lot and avoiding them. Please know this was not their fault. The fault is fully mine. I should have been open and honest with you.

Niall

Rose, I’m sorry.

Niall

I miss you, Rose, I care about you. Call me anytime, day or night. I just want the chance to talk.

After reading through the rest of the texts and even listening to a few more voicemails, I put my phone down, tears falling from my eyes like a dam has broken and nothing can stop the downpour of emotions flooding my system. Never once was he angry or mad with me. Each text and voicemail was calm, caring, sincere.

I feel so confused. I’m hurt that he didn’t open up to me. I mean what I said to Greg about a relationship not being able to start on a lie, but my gut is telling me that I need to forgive Niall, that I should give us another chance. But how do I do that? How do I move past what happened?

I have another sleepless night, unable to get these thoughts outof my head. I’m so confused. I need to talk to Holly.

Early the next morning, I go to see Holly before she opens up her bakery for the day, a strong cup of coffee in my hands.

The sweet smells of pastries baking overwhelm my senses as I walk in the back entrance. “Hols, you close by?” I yell out after not seeing her in the kitchen.

“I’m up front.”

Walking to the front of the shop, it’s like walking into a fairy garden. Display cases, grass, and flowers cover the walls in a beautiful mural. Plants hang from the ceiling as well as strands of lights giving off a magical glow. Outdoor-style tables and chairs dot the floor, making it feel like you’ve entered an actual garden. No matter what mood I’m in, the moment I walk into her bakery, it brings a smile to my face.

“What brings you in this early?” Holly asks, not even looking up from where she’s loading some baked goods into the display cases.

“I . . .” I start, but then stop immediately.

I don’t know what to say.

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