Page 82 of Love Lessons
Eyes closed, I try to picture Danforth saying it. It’s difficult, but not impossible. And then I try to picture Danforth removing my panties with his teeth and ravishing me. That’s even harder to imagine than the apology.
I’ve always believed in manifestation—that creating a vision for what you want will help you get it. But what if you no longer know what you want?
What then?
* * *
I wakeup bleary and way too early. It’s only six thirty when I roll out of bed and quietly put on shorts and a T-shirt.
Leaving Ian sleeping peacefully, I go in search of coffee.
Charli is sitting at the kitchen table, already sipping a cappuccino. “Good morning!” She gives me a radiant smile before hopping out of her chair. “Want a coffee? I was hoping someone would wake up and talk to me.”
“My goodness, you’re chipper.”
She presses a button on the gleaming automatic espresso machine and shoves a cup into place. “I had a little trouble sleeping.”
“Been there,” I murmur.
“I was too happy. Too excited. Look.” She holds out her hand, and there’s a giant, gleaming diamond on it.
“Holy cow! That’s sobeautiful. Is that… Did Neil give it to you last night?” I’d noticed that neither she nor Neil wore a wedding ring. I’d chalked it up to hockey players having no interest in bling. But I didn’t ask.
“He did,” she says, gazing at it. “Neil and I didnothave a typical wedding, Vera.”
“You eloped in Vegas. I know.” She’d told me that the two of them got drunk and tied the knot, shocking Neil’s family. There was some drama, but I don’t know the details, and I haven’t wanted to pry.
“It wasn’t just that we eloped.” She moves the cup under the steamed-milk attachment and presses another button. “We never planned to get married. And for a long time, I assumed we’d end up getting divorced.”
I take a gasping breath, because I hate that idea. “But you guys are so perfect together.”
She laughs. “You say that, and I believe you now. But I didn’t always understand. And I was afraid to trust him, even when he looked me in the eyes and said, ‘I want this, I love you.’”
I’ve forgotten to breathe. It’s been a long time since anyone said that to me, and when Danforthunsaid it, it broke my heart.
But I still want that. It’s still worth it.
And I don’t want to settle for someone who isn’t crazy for me.
“Neil never gave up on me.” She sets the coffee in front of me and sits back down. “He waited until I was ready. I finally got there. This was his grandmother’s ring.” She holds out her hand and admires it again. “And when he put it on my finger last night, I finally realized that it belongs there.”
I look down at the ring and smile. My eyes get hot, and my voice cracks a little when I speak. “It’s beautiful, and I’m so happy for you. Couldn’t have happened to a better girl.”
Then I reach over and give her the big hug she deserves.
Hearing her story galvanizes me. I don’t need a giant diamond. Charli would be the first to agree that bling doesn’t matter. As Nonna used to say, it’s the thought that counts.
But I do need a man who will give me his whole heart and not ask me to settle for scraps. That means holding out for a man who can love me as much as Neil loves Charli.
Even if it hurts.
* * *
Several hours later,I hurry downstairs and out the villa’s front door, where there’s a plush little motorcoach and driver waiting to drive us to the Italian city of Verona.
Glancing around, I realize I’m the last to appear. “Sorry,” I say. “The time got away from me.”
“But you look incredible,” Ian says, taking in the purple satin dress I’d brought just for this occasion. “I take back every nasty thing I said about fashion.”
