Page 36 of When Forever Comes

“It’s not that I don’t think—”

“When was the last time you read your Bible?”

My nostrils flare as I stare my younger sister down. But she doesn’t retreat or look one bit intimidated.

Finally, I relent. “On the plane.”

“That was a month ago. You haven’t been to church or Bible study either. Stop taking out your frustrations on Jesus. He’s calling for you. His arms are open and He wants you to follow His will.”

“And you know what His will is?” I ask, my voice rising in frustration.

“I can’t say for certain. But I believe the reason you’ve failed to finish a manuscript, the reason why you’ve been holed up in your bedroom for weeks, the reason you’ve been downright miserable to be around, is because you’re running from Him, from His will, and His blessing: Weston Lockwood.”

“What about you?” I ask.

“What about me?”

“Are you going to stay heartbroken over a stupid man who ghosted you?”

“No.” She straightens to her full height and raises her chin. “But I am going to make sure that you don’t miss out on the blessing God has given you.”

I let go of the unfair anger I have toward my sister and wrap my arms around her. “Thanks for always looking out for me. I’m sorry for lashing out at you.”

She pulls back. “You don’t need to apologize. I know you’re hurting. Which is why I want to fix this.”

FOURTEEN

WEST

I wanted to give Olivia the time she needed to work through everything. But with all of my text messages unanswered and none of my phone calls returned, I am struggling to keep myself in Amber Island.

Olivia’s life was shaken up when Brad cheated. But when she arrived here and realized who I was, she seemed excited. Maybe that was my overactive imagination conjuring what I’ve been hoping for the last ten years.

I’ve been contemplating going back to Emerald Springs and reconnecting with my old neighbors as an excuse to find her and beg her to forgive me for whatever it is I messed up. I knew she was uncomfortable around Giselle and have kicked myself a dozen times for not pushing my dinner with Giselle back a week or two. Nothing we discussed was “pressing,” as she had originally stated.

Something was off with Olivia that night, and I knew it. Despite her falling asleep on me, there was a barrier between us. The following day, I planned on tearing it down and telling her exactly what my intentions were. But she never gave me that chance. Instead, she ran.

Just like you did.

During every date, we had easy conversations. She caught me up on her life and even told me a little about the books she was working on. Everything with her felt as natural as breathing. I actually breathed easier having her with me. Now it feels like I’m running out of air.

As I pace my living room, going over every moment we spent together that week, the ding of the elevator fills my home’s emptiness.

I check my watch, wondering if it’s the food delivery service with my lunch. But they’d be too early and they always check in with the front desk, who buzzes me first.

I practically run to the foyer and as the elevator doors open, a whoosh of cleansing air fills me as Olivia’s beautiful face comes into view. She’s wearing a teal dress that’s so long it almost brushes the floor. A sunhat covers her sugar brown hair and her eyes are full of regret.

“Olivia?” I don’t mask the emotion in my voice.

“Hi,” she says, as if she didn’t break my heart a mere month ago.

“What are you doing here?”

She licks her lips and I can’t help the memories that surface of us as teenagers in the hallway where I attempted to convey everything I’ve ever felt for her into a single kiss.

After a deep breath, she says, “I’m sorry.”

My mind is at war with my heart. I stare at her in silence before I finally break. “You’re sorry? You walk out of my life with no warning and all you have to say is you’re sorry?” I wince at my words but I can’t take them back.

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