“I brought wine,” she says, reaching for the cupboard with the wineglasses. “Thought we might need it for the unveiling.”
When Gia called to say she was coming over with my keys, I told her about Caleb’s gift, and she readily agreed to open it with me. “I’ll definitely need it after today.”
A frown mars her smooth forehead. “What don’t I know?”
I fill her in on the altercation between Caleb and Seb and Shea’s confession. “What do you think of him?” I ask as I pour wine into the two glasses.
“I have only met him twice in passing, so it’s hard for me to form an opinion yet.”
“But?” I ask because I sense there is one.
“I’m not overly keen on some of the things you’ve told me, but I don’t want to be judgmental or biased.”
“Biased?” I arch a brow as I hand her a wineglass, and we move to the couch. Caleb’s gift is resting on top of the coffee table, waiting to be opened.
She levels me with a look. “Biased about Caleb.”
“In what way? You’ve never been his biggest fan.”
“That’s before I got to know him and before I’ve seen him these past couple of months.”
“What are you saying, Gigi?”
“I don’t want to interfere, because this is your life and I know he hurt you, deeply, but you’ve loved him for so long Lili, and he’s finally on the same page. Would it really hurt to let him in? To give it a try?”
I almost spit my wine all over the place. “You want me to ditch Sebastien and date Caleb?”
“I want you to follow your heart.”
“My heart has only ever led me astray,” I remind her, taking a big gulp of my wine.
“But has it?” she softly asks. “Maybe your heart was right all along.”
“Ugh. Don’t say this to me.” I lean my head back and stare at the ceiling. “I’m already faltering.”
“I know it’s a lot to forgive him, but he’s trying so hard to be the man you need him to be. I think he really loves you, Lise.”
“What if I give in and he decides he doesn’t like being in a committed relationship and he dumps me to return to his manwhoring ways?” I lower my eyes as pain spreads across my chest. “It would hurt so bad. Way more than I’m hurting now.”
“That is a risk, but I think he’s serious when he says he’s done with all that. I don’t think he was ready to commit before, and it’s partly why he was ignoring his feelings for you. But he’s ready now.”
“What if I’m not enough to keep him faithful?” I brave the question that’s most often plagued me. “He’s been with so many women, and I’m still a virgin. How could I ever satisfy him? He would stray when I can’t give him what he wants.”
“He doesn’t want any of those other women, and you’d learn what he likes.” She reaches over and briefly squeezes my hand. “Of course, you’d be enough for him. You’re amazing, and you’ve got so many good qualities. Caleb would be lucky to have you in his life, and he knows it.”
“It’s a moot point, anyway.” I reach for my wine and knock back a mouthful. “I’m with Seb, and we have a double dinner date on Thursday, or had you forgotten?”
“I haven’t forgotten. We’ll be there.”
“Maybe, I’ll see how that goes and then decide.”
“I don’t want to pressure you. I just want you to be happy, Lise. I don’t want you to settle because you think that’s the best way to safeguard your heart.”
“You think that’s what I’m doing?”
She shrugs, casting a glance at the box. “Maybe, but only you can answer that.”
Except I’m not sure I can. I’m more than a little confused. “I don’t know if I am,” I truthfully reply. “Caleb hurt me a lot.”
