Page 75 of Make You Love Me
“How did he react?”
“The way he does with everything. He was supportive and empathetic. Sweet and understanding. What?” I ask when I notice Sydney’s playful smile.
“I love seeing you in love.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with it. There’s still so much to figure out.” I toss up my hands in annoyance and let them fall into my lap.
“You’re not still preparing to let him go, are you?”
“I have to.” With a huff, I pace to the other side of the room.
“I’m so confused.”
“I told him we’d never have a traditional family. He hasn’t told me yet if he can live with that. Right now, it’s not a big dealbecause there’s no commitment, and children are nowhere near the conversation. But what about a few years from now when he’s ready to settle down?”
“What about a surrogate?”
My arms cross defensively. This conversation took a hard left turn, and I’m struggling to keep up. “I don’t know. I’ve never considered having kids, so there was no point in looking into the whole egg thing.”
“And now?”
I shrug. “I wonder about it…occasionally…for tiny little seconds here or there when I allow myself to look deep into his eyes.”
With a few heavy steps, I drop onto the window seat and fall into Sydney’s embrace.
“What am I going to do?”
“Exactly what you’re doing. Take care of him, show him how you feel, and see what happens.”
“Sounds simple enough. But it is anything but simple.”
“Rarely is following your heart easy or a black and white endeavor.”
“You would know.” Sitting up, I collect the hands that have caught more tears than I’ll ever shed. Sydney’s heart has been through a meat grinder, yet her belief in the power of love holds true. If she believes my hollow heart can be warmed by and filled with love, then maybe I should believe it, too.
“And you know what?” she asks with an unsteady smile and a wink. “It’s always worth it.”
A knock sounds on the door before it opens.
“I thought I’d find you in here,” Lori, one of VETS’ front desk receptionists, says to me.
I shoot to my feet. “Is Jordan okay?”
“Jordan Jones? Oh, yeah. He just started his therapy appointment.”
“Good.” My hand, which had found my neck when my heart leapt into my throat, slid to my side in relief. “What’s up?”
“The temporary yoga instructor didn’t show.”
“Again? That’ll be the third class we’ve had to cancel. The temps are so unreliable,” Sydney complains.
I check the time on my phone. The next class starts in three minutes. “I’ll look into another company when I get back, but I can fill in today. Please tell the class I’m on my way.”
Lori nods, and I turn to Sydney, eyeing her ponytail. “Got an extra hair tie I can borrow?”
“Nope. But you can have this one.” She pulls the scrunchie from her hair, her long red waves falling over her shoulders.
“You really are the bestest friend ever.”
