From:Lucy Greene
Sent:Mon, November 26 04:16 PM CST
To:Olivia Germaine
Subject:Re: Hi
Dear Liv,
You know how much I’ve valued your friendship over the years. It’s rare to stay so super close after college. But I don’t feel like I know you anymore. Since you met David, you’re not the same person. Bill tells me that in the months following the funeral, you were so upset because of losing David, not Davena. That’s beyond me, especially considering the way you treated Bill during that time and even us, too, when we tried to help. Also, the Liv I know would never treat my sister the way you have.
The way you broke your vows makes me sick to my stomach. What you said at my wedding was beautiful, but knowing that it didn’t mean anything is a slap in the face. I’ve always liked David, but he’s a bad influence on you. Even though I disagree with your choices, I don’t want to see you get hurt. I know that the divorce is already underway, so I can only pray that you’ve made the right decision. And Iwillpray for you.
We have so much history, and I don’t want to dishonor that. At the same time, Bill and Andrew are closer than ever. I must respect Andrew’s friendship, because at the end of the day, my loyalty is to him. I think it’s best we don’t speak for a while.
Best wishes always,
Lucy
I ran the back of my hand over my wet cheeks. There was nothing left to say. I knew there’d be consequences to my choices. Losing a best friend was one of them.
Even though the love of my life slept right next to me, I missed him keenly in that moment. Like a wilting flower, my petals browned at the edges and dropped one by one without David’s nourishment. I needed to be held by him, to be revived by his love. And he was so close, within reach, but he seemed far away.
I eased out of bed and tiptoed over to the window. Soft snow danced in beautiful chaos. As always, Chicago’s cityscape stunned me, sleeping but still alive. I let myself get lost in its powerful, raw, dark beauty as I stood at the top of the world.
The first time I’d seen David smile at Lucy’s engagement party, it’d nearly knocked me off my feet—how had I not known then I was in love? Then, there was the first time I saw all of him, still mysterious and sinister, even when stripped down to nothing. Or when he’d let me cry into his chest after we’d made love in The Revelin hotel suite. It had been that moment when I’d known I was caught in a storm with no shelter.
I wasn’t ready to say good-bye. I wanted him to stay so fucking bad. I’d meant every begging word earlier. At least I’d held nothing back. Finally, I’d not only opened up for him, but I’d asked for what I’d wanted. Even if it made me selfish, I wanted him to stay.
I jumped at David’s touch.His arms slid around my shoulders from behind, and he pulled me against him. “Honeybee,” he whispered in my ear.
My tears had dried, but I shook in his embrace. “I don’t want to lose you,” I said to our faint reflection in the window. “Don’t walk away from this. Please.”
We sat that way for a while. When my trembling subsided, he released me, leaving me bereft. I closed my eyes at the loss, but it wasn’t long until he returned. His arms went back around me, and his lips came to my ear. “Were you afraid earlier?”
“No,” I whispered. “I trust you.”
His grip on me tightened. “Even though I knew my mind wouldn’t change, I spent a lot of time thinking today and last night. I thought about life with and without children. About life,” he paused, and I felt his tentative breath, “without you.”
My hands shook again as I realized what was coming. I pulled away, and he let me.
This was it.
I had to be strong. I’d laid everything on the line, and that was all I could do. I collected myself and turned to look at him.
The bright moon showed everything on his face. His eyes were so clear and determined that I touched my palm to my heart. And I knew that whatever he said next would be the truth. His eyes were his soul. They’d never lied to me, and for that, I would always be grateful. “David,” I prompted, not recognizing my own voice.
“There’s nothing in this world I want more than you, Olivia.”
My heart jumped into my throat. I laced my trembling fingers over my chest. “But?”
“But nothing.”
My ears rang as I struggled to process his meaning. He’d stay. He wasn’t giving up on us despite all the reasons I’d given him, and no matter how many times I’d pushed him away. My eyes watered, threatening a celebration of tears. “David?”
He placed a hand on the side of my neck and leaned in. “I would kill for you. I would die for you. You are my everything. If you don’t want children, then we won’t have them. And if you change your mind, that’s fine, too. Just know that nothing can keep me away.”
I choked back a sob, overwhelmed with love and gratitude. David had seen me when others couldn’t or wouldn’t. He’d given me what I hadn’t known I’d needed. And now, I not only had a great love, but I could keep it.
