Page 16 of Unpredictable
“Okay, then,” Lauren said. “Sell the house.”
I swallowed hard. “I’ve considered it.”
She seemed surprised by that, but I hated going home to an empty house. An empty house that was filled with memories of the past and promises of a future that would never happen.
“Do you think you should talk to someone?” Alexis asked, concern evident in her tone. “Do you remember how depressed I was after Blair was born? And you guys, Preston especially, encouraged me to talk to a specialist, and it really helped.”
“I don’t know.” I wasn’t necessarily a fan of the idea. I’d attended some counseling when I’d first returned from Thailand, but it hadn’t really made a difference. And I’d done nothing since. Maybe it was time to revisit the idea.
“Or you could try to find a grief support group,” Lauren said.
I arched an eyebrow, which prompted her to say, “After my mom died, I attended one. And when my dad passed away last year, I went to a different one for a while.”
That surprised me. Lauren always put up such a tough front that I was shocked she’d even consider attending a grief support group. If she was willing to go, it definitely made me reconsider my stance.
“Whatever you decide,” Harper said with a warm smile, “we’re here for you.”
“Thanks, guys,” I said, and I meant it. These women had been my rock, my support. And I didn’t know what I’d do without them.
Their encouragement gave me hope. Hope that if they could survive the things they had, I’d survive this too. They’d moved on, and maybe it was time I did too. I’d never stop loving Ryan, but I couldn’t keep living like this.
Chapter Six
“Ican’t believe you scored an appointment with Juliana Wright,” Olivia said as we walked down the sidewalk toward the wedding planner’s office. “I mean, she’s liketheevent planner for celebrity weddings.”
I scoffed. “What? Am I not a celebrity?”
She knew I was teasing. But I was grateful Olivia had accepted my apology and peace offering—a meeting with the exclusive event planner. I still wasn’t sold on the idea of marriage, but my relationship with my daughter was more important than my personal reservations. Besides, her relationship with Connor was different from Camille’s and mine. And Talia was right—just because my marriage hadn’t worked out didn’t mean Olivia’s was doomed to fail.
“Dad.” Olivia rolled her eyes, but her lips curved upward. “You know what I mean.”
“I don’t know, do I?” I sniffed.
“Oh please. How could I forget that my father is a football legend, one of the greatest players of all time, the man who led the Hollywood Heatwaves to victory four years in a…”
“You’re really laying it on thick,” I teased, relieved we were back on solid ground.
“Well, it is Juliana Wright.” If Olivia hadn’t been wearing a dress and heels, I swear she’d be skipping down the sidewalk. When I’d called her to tell her about the appointment, she’d nearly busted my eardrum with her shrieks of excitement.
“So you said.” I watched her, warmth filling my chest. Anything to make Olivia happy. “What’s so special about Juliana Wright?” I affected a posh accent.
“What’snotspecial?” Olivia asked. “She’s made a name for herself offering eco-friendly events that cater to those with special diets.”
I hmphed. “You mean like the actresses who only eat potatoes on Tuesday.”
Olivia rolled her eyes with a smile. “Probably. But I was referring to food allergies like mine. Juliana caters to clients with celiac disease, nut allergies, vegans, you name it.”
“Is being a vegan a disease?” I teased, though I’d eaten a heavily plant-based diet for years when I was training for the Heatwaves and even after.
“You know what I mean, Dad,” Olivia said.
“Yeah, and she probably charges through the nose for it.”
“Probably.” She shrugged. “But you know it’s not cheap to eat high-quality, plant-based food. And she’s organized a number of events raising awareness and funding for celiac disease and other causes.”
“Really?” I asked. “How do you know all this?”
“There’s this thing called the internet. You should try it.” She stuck her tongue out at me.
