I hadn't even noticed the car arrive.
"Yeah.Sorry."
As we drive through Seattle's wet streets, I pull up Sage's contact.
Her name sits there, mocking me with its simplicity.
One tap and I could hear her voice.
One tap and?—
And what?Forgive her for lying?Pretend it didn't happen?Open myself up to being hurt again?
"You okay back there?"the driver asks."You're sighing a lot."
"I'm fine."
"You know, my wife and I broke up for six months once.Stubborn pride on both sides.Worst six months of my life."
For fuck’s sake, can the entire city smell the woman problems on me?
I sigh again.“What changed?"
"Realized being right wasn't worth being miserable."He glances in the mirror."Been married twenty-three years now."
"She didn't lie to you though."
"She told me she was a natural blonde for two years."He grins."Found out at her sister's wedding when the photos showed her roots.Trust isn't about never making mistakes.It's about choosing to forgive them."
“That’s a hell of a lot of insight for a simple car service.”
"Tuesday nights.Premium service."
I laugh.Actually laugh.
Maybe Killian was right.Maybe being right is a cold bedfellow.
Maybe eleven days is long enough.
Maybe—
My phone rings.For a moment, I think I've accidentally called Sage, but it's Connor.
"Emergency brunch meeting Sunday," he says without preamble."Callum's having a crisis about wedding venues.You're coming."
"I don't?—"
"You're coming.And Luke?Maybe wash your hair first.Daniella says you're entering hermit territory."
He hangs up before I can protest.
Sunday.
Four days away.
I close Sage's contact without calling.But I don't delete it either.
Progress, maybe.
