Page 105 of A World Without You
She takes my hand, smiling genuinely. “Yes, I’m Lana.”
“So nice to meet you. I’ve heard wonderful things,” I remark, even though I haven’t, I just hope it’s all wonderful. I hope it’s honest and pure. I hope it’s wild and fun. I hope it’s the life he always dreamed of—the one he deserves.
“Same,” she says, her smile doesn’t falter and I’m shocked.
“Oh, really? That’s...good,” I stumble and hesitate over the words and she lets out a small laugh, making me wonder if he did, in fact, tell her he’d like to skin me alive.
“Well, I think I just went and made it awkward, but yes...I’ve also heard great things about you,” she says. Not an ounce of it feels phony or fake or even obnoxious.
“And I wanted to head over here and congratulate you myself before word got around that you’d be taking over the contract position as the senior project manager for marketing,” Colin says.
Even though word has already gotten to me, hearing this from Colin is more confirmation than if it were to come directly from Barry Wellington himself.
“Thank you,” I say. Two simple words that are tossed around every single day. Thank you for holding the door. Thank you for making me a drink. Thank you for letting me use your pen. Thank you for this email. Thank you for calling.
Thank you for loving me in another world and forgiving me in this one.
Colin and I hold our stare for a moment but it doesn’t feel intimate. It feels like a truce. A promise that he won’t harbor any more resentment for what I did to him, and I will let him go.
I turn to his fiancée. “When is the wedding?” I ask and she beams.
“This summer. We’re getting married at the Chihuly Garden in Seattle. Have you been?” she asks.
“I have. That’s a lovely venue,” I say.
“Barry’s daughter got married there,” Bennett adds. “That wedding was a blast.”
“Is that right?” Colin asks, taking another sip of champagne.
Bennett nods and adds, “Well, let’s see the ring.”
I don’t need to look at the ring. I already know it’s his grandmother’s—but I look anyway when Lana holds out her hand. The diamond gleams in the Christmas lights cocooning us in this room. It’s a round diamond with a gold band. Simple and pure. Just like Colin.
“It’s beautiful,” I muse, then smile at him. “Good job, Colin.”
He nods in gratitude.
“Well, we won’t keep you. I know you have clients to schmooze and keep happy.” I wink at Colin and gently touch Lana’s shoulder. “It was truly lovely to meet you.”
“Likewise.” She smiles her radiant smile.
“Merry Christmas, Olivia.”
“Merry Christmas, Colin.”
My chest loosens as they walk away—relief laps at my soul in an unexpected way. I don’t want to chase him and pine after him. I got my forgiveness, and now I can just wish him the best.
“You did good, kid,” Bennett whispers in my ear.
“Forgiveness is freeing,” I say and for a moment we just look at each other. Longing and understanding burn in his eyes.
“You must be Olivia Baker,” the hearty voice says next to me. I turn to see Barry Wellington in the flesh, wearing a black tux and red bow tie. His wife is daintily holding onto his arm in a crimson ball gown. She took “formal” attire to the next level and just by the way she smiles and pinches her posture back, I can tell, being over-the-top suits her.
“Hi, Mr. Wellington. It’s a lovely party,” I say, gesturing to the room filled with overworked corporate yuppies thankful to let off some steam during the holiday season.
“Thank you,” Mrs. Wellington chimes in, having no issue taking credit. “I’m Lorraine, Barry’s wife.”
I shake her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
