I show him the message I just received from Melinda, saying she feels bad about how things ended and wants to talk so we can find some 'closure.'
"Are you going to respond?" Vaughn asks, handing the phone back.
I shake my head. "Nope. Dad used to sayNo response is a response. He was referring to business negotiations, but I think it equally applies to personal life. I spent a lot of time, especially in those first few months after it happened, wishing she and River had told me the truth. That the three of us could have sat down and talked like mature adults about what really happened. But now, none of that matters. They showed me their true colors.That'sthe closure I thought I needed, but it's not the closure I got. I accept that now. I'm not interested in hearing what she has to say. I've moved on. I'm with someone who values honesty as much as I do."
Vaughn draws in a slow breath, his expression tightening. "Even though I wasn't exactly forthcoming with you at the start?"
"That's different," I say, grazing his chin with my thumb. "You had good reasons to be wary."
"I wanted to tell you, but I was so afraid."
"I get it. I do." When his frown only deepens, I lift his chin so that his eyes meet mine. "Let's make a promise. Radical honesty. No matter how bad or hard the conversation might be, we don't run away from it, but we deal with it head on. Together."
I stick out my pinkie.
He hooks his around it. "Radical honesty," he repeats, looking me square in the eye. "No matter what."
"I love you with all my heart, Vaughn."
"I love you with all my heart, too."
There's one more story left in
UPPER ECHELONS.
Clayton's dad.
Still grieving the loss of his son, no one deserves to find love more than Anson Palmer. But with who?
Read MAKERS to find out >
Read the previousUPPER ECHELONSbooks
GIVERS >
TAKERS >
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SNEAK PEEK AT MAKERS
He came to train my body. Instead, he healed my heart.
No amount of wealth, power, or success can insulate you from the soul-destroying loss of having your child die in your arms. I know I can't live in this shell of grief forever, but I have no idea how to move on.
Enter Jarvis Small.
