Page 39 of Certified Heartthrob

After another slew of unanswered texts, I tried calling Camille again. I was convinced that if she could give me a few minutes—if she would just listen—I could say everything that might make this right and make her see what a huge misunderstanding this all was.

But instead of ringing or going to voicemail, a recorded message played in my ear: “The number you are calling is no longer in service.”

I knew Camille wouldn’t have up and changed her number; it was more likely that she had blocked me. But even if she hadn’t changed her number, it was clear that she was intent on never speaking to me again.

I didn’t want to give up, but for the moment...life had to go on. I didn’t know how long I’d be stuck in this limbo, waiting and hoping to have my chance to talk to her again. I was starting to feel defeated. Even if I could get a moment with her, she had no reason to listen to me or believe anything I had to say.

I slid my phone into my pocket and headed out the door to the soup kitchen. It was getting colder out, which always sent more people flocking to the cafeteria for a good meal and a few hours of warmth.

Rudy smiled when he saw me, like always. But his smile faded when he saw how out of sorts I was.

“What’s gotten into you?” he asked. “I’ve never seen you so down.”

“Small troubles in comparison to what you have to go through with winter approaching,” I told him, waving off his concern as I served him his food.

He simply laughed. “You must be having issues with yourfriend.”

“Why are you still saying it like that?”

“Because you wouldn’t be this bothered by whatever happened if she was just a friend.” He grinned. “I was right all along. I knew there was something between the two of you.”

“Well, if there was...it’s over now.”

“What?” His brow furrowed. “It’s hardly over. I can see from the look in your eyes it’s not over.”

“She decided it was.”

“And you’re just going to roll over and take that?” He clicked his tongue and shook his head. “Listen to me, son. If you find a woman who gets under your skin like that, you can’t give her up for anything. You have to fight for her.”

“First, you want me to risk getting heartbroken. Done. Now I have to fight on top of that?”

“I told you before and I’ll tell you again...It’s worth it. It’s the only thing in this world that’s worth it. Love.”

Rudy’s words stirred something inside of me, waking up the parts I’d deadened and pushed down just to get through the day. He was right. What the hell was I doing? Trying to carry on like nothing happened while the woman I loved was out there hurting?

I may have rolled over and let Audrey tear me down when she decided to walk out of my life, but things were different with Camille. She was worth fighting for—worth the risk.

Seeing Camille walk out of my life, and now dealing with her refusing to talk to me, I was more certain than ever that she was the one. She’d done what she set out to do and converted me to the cause of love. But now I had to fix things. Oddly enough, I realized I would need help from someone I thought I would never want to see again.

“Thanks, Rudy,” I said, perking up as everything started clicking into place. “I...I have to go.”

“That’s the spirit!” He let out a wheezy laugh, cheering me on as I bolted from the building.

An hour later, I found myself pacing outside the door of a place I never thought I would go. After no response, I knocked again until finally it opened.

“Mark?” Audrey stood there, looking just as surprised as I was to find myself at her apartment.

“I need your help,” I told her in a rush. “Can I come in?”

She hesitated for a moment, but stepped aside and ushered me in. “Can I get you something to dr—”

“No. No way. That’s what got me into this mess to begin with. No drinks. I just need you to sit down and listen.”

A while later, I had finished explaining my plan and was anxiously waiting for her response. She sat back on the couch, crossing her arms.

“I don’t know, Mark. This is a huge thing to ask of me. A few days ago, I was begging you to take me back. And now...this?”

“I know it’s unconventional,” I replied. “But it’s the only way I can think of to set this right. Surely, after everything you’ve put me through...you can help me out with this. You owe it to me.”

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