Page 207 of Share with Me

“You counted?”

“Roughly forty-two days.”

“I’m so sorry.”

He seemed to genuinely mean it, but Brinley had had it with people’s recurring apologies—

Seventy times seven.

The last verse that Yun McMillan had read to her only days before she passed away was Matthew 18:21. It stuck in Brinley’s mind, but she hadn’t expected to be reminded of it now.

Not now, God. I’m trying to be upset with Ivan here. Gimme a moment.

Still the words were clear. She could recite every word from the Bible that Yun used.

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

But—

“I pray that someday you will forgive me, Brin. I can see I’ve hurt you.”

“More than you cansee.”

“I know. Again, I’m very sorry. I would spend the rest of my life making it up to you if I could, but considering this is the end of the road for us I guess you’ll have to settle with the fact that I have tried to make peace with you.”

“You talk a lot.”

“I’m trying to apologize here.” The wind ruffled Ivan’s hair. He looked cute as he tried to fix his hair so it didn’t come down his forehead and into his eyes.

Cute?

Brinley glanced away.

“Even though we’re going separate ways we’re going to run into each other every now and then, and I’d rather not have this hostility between us.”

Brinley zipped up her hooded cardigan. “I thought you live in Atlanta now.”

“Well, I was until I felt convicted to come home to make amends with you.”

Home? He considers St. Simon’s Island his home?

Brinley might be upset, but she was also inherently curious.This I have to hear.“Did your sister kick you out of the house?”

“Strangely enough, not this time. Grandma’s death had reconciled us.”

“Glad to hear that.”

“However, I do believe that had I stayed another month, I would have worn out my welcome.”

Brinley laughed.

“Made you laugh.”

“And made me weep too, Ivan.”Oh, so many times she had lost count.

“I know.” He lifted a strand of hair away from Brinley’s face. “I don’t know how many times I’ve said I’m sorry, Brin.”

“I forgive you.”

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