Sydney nodded.
“Based on his mother’s postings, Pete, the man no girl in my grade ever looked at twice, became a chick magnet.” I forced a laugh. “These beautiful girls of his never lasted long enough to attend their second holiday dinner at the Ennis house, though. Then ten years ago, everything changed. A friend from the force introduced him to a stunning high school English teacher. Pete dated Caroline for about two years before he dropped down to one knee and proposed to her while ice skating at Bryant Park.” I reached for my phone and scrolled to show her the photo I had found and saved, capturing the moment. “How romantic was this?”
She looked at me quizzically. “Very. Should I be worried you have the shot on your phone?”
“Probably,” I answered honestly as I instructed her to keep scrolling. “They had a storybook wedding at a vineyard in the Hamptons. Her dress was dazzling, wasn’t it?” I controlled myself from commenting on how amazing Pete looked in a tux. “Oh, they honeymooned in the south of France, in case you were wondering.”
She smiled but glanced at her watch. “Did you find out the name of her childhood best friend, too?”
“Of course.” I looked at her as if she just arrived from outer space. “It was easy-peasy since she was the maid of honor, silly. Can I continue?”
“Like I could stop you.”
“Soon after they tied the knot, he gave up his apartment in Queens and bought a house in the burbs. It’s crazy. As soon as I saw a picture of his house, I knew exactly where he lived. Can you imagine, I pass his place practically every day when I drive to work?”
“It’s a small world.”
“You’ll love this,” I said, moving on. “Pete appears to be a renovation junkie like you and Craig. He and his friends practically rebuilt the inside of his place.”
“He sounds like my kind of guy.” Sydney smiled.
“I gathered Caroline had some miscarriages before giving birth to Clara.” I glanced at my friend with sympathy. Sydney also lost a few babies after Amanda was born. I knew it still pained her that she wasn’t able to give her daughter a sibling. “They doted on the baby and seemed so happy. They were the perfect family, but then right after the baby’s first birthday party, Caroline was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer.”
Sydney gasped, despite knowing the end since I had already told her Pete was a widower. I swallowed hard as I remembered the heartbreaking pictures that I had seen of him caring for his dying wife. I could never imagine someone loving me so deeply.
“He was devoted to his wife and took such great care of her while she was sick. And based on all the pictures I saw, he was an equally dedicated dad. Also, I couldn’t find one trace of him with another woman. Syd, what’s wrong with me? I can’t stop thinking about him.”
She looked me square in the eye. “Are you enamored with the man you spent a few hours with over the weekend or the man you spent half the weekend cyberstalking?”
I opened my mouth to speak, but she held up a hand.
“I know you better than you know yourself, Waverly. I’d bet my house and all my worldly possessions you’ve convinced yourself you know this guy’s life story based on a few photos.”
I diverted my eyes because I didn’t want to face her truth.
“You of all people should know no one is the same person as the image they want to project to others.”
“It’s more than that, Syd. I spent an entire car ride from the city speaking with him. I feel a connection, a real one.”
“I’m sure you did. Don’t be rash. You spent one hour with the man. You were in a vulnerable position, and Pete helped you. You’re not used to accepting help from others.”
“True,” I said.
“I don’t want you to go and write yourself a fairytale. You know nothing about this guy, except for the fact he has a vindictive streak. Don’t forget how juvenile and mean he acted toward you and me this year.”
I knew she was right. “But—”
“No, Waverly. Don’t tell yourself you deserved what he dished out because of something that started when you were six years old. You were a kid for goodness’ sake. He’s a grown man now.”
“I know, except, maybe the pain I caused him scarred him for life?”
“Or maybe you were wise beyond your years. Perhaps you were onto something when you came up with his nickname?”
15
Sydney was no fool.
She knew exactly what buttons of mine to push. While her tone may have sounded harsh, her intentions were straight from her heart. She wanted to rile me up in a good way. She realized I needed a jolt to remember what wasrealand not whatcould be—and I loved her for it.
