“Good.Thanks.Let’s get back to work.”
CHAPTER19
Venus
“How couldyou do that to me?ToHenry?The shock brought on an asthma attack.”I fold my arms over my chest and glare at my father through the screen.
“Oh, heavens.Is he alright?”
“Yes, but he might not have been.He couldn’tbreathe, Dad.”
“Hmm.”He rubs the scruff of his chin.“His asthma is a variable I failed to take into account—for that, I do apologize.Ivy has already left a few angry messages.”
“You shouldn’t have meddled.Or forced us together.Or misled us.How did you think this would work?”
His brow quirks into a question.“I hypothesized a reunion would precipitate a rekindling of affection.I hoped you’d remember how much you loved each other.”
My anger subsides.Having my father take action on my behalf, however misguided, is appreciated.His theory wasn’t exactly wrong, though he misjudged the outcome.
I’m devastated, all over again.
Everything’s worse now.I knew it would be—knew when I suggested my wild idea to Henry.The jagged cracks in my heart are now gushing wounds because Iknowwhat I gave up.Iknowwhat I’ve lost.Iknowhow he tastes and feels and loves.Iknowhow he lives, and that he’s the incredible man I knew he would be.Iknowwhat I’ll never have again.
I try not to use vague analogies, but it hurts like hell.Like deep, deep hell.I’ve loved as much as I’ll ever love and been soul-linked to someone more than I ever will again.
“Venus, are you alright?”
My father’s voice pulls me to the present, and I straighten my back.“No, but Henry and I have reached an understanding?—”
“Oh, wonderful!”he perks up.“I knew you could?—”
“We said our goodbyes properly this time.It’s over.”
Dad’s shoulders droop two inches, and his brow crinkles with worry lines.“Hmm, I confess that I saw your latest field journal and your writings to Henry.I don’t understand how you can hold that much love in your heart for someone and decide it’s over.I don’t believe it’s over for you, Venus.”
I shake my head.“Yes, it is.It has to be.Now.”
Dad nods, his expression tired and disappointed—one I’m very accustomed to.
With an emptying sigh, I admit, “It’s the normal couple things that hurt me, Dad.”
“Normal couple things?”
“Henry’s a teacher, father, and a business owner.He’s settled and stable and deserves someone who’s the same.Henry wants and needs normal couple things.I can’t give him that.Never could.”
“Hmm, one might argue that these so-called ‘normal couple things’ are unique to the couple.Look at Christie and me.We have normal couple things, but they’re ours by design.I believe that everyone designs their own normal.Normal is what you decide it to be.Besides, why aim for normal when you can have extraordinary?”
I take a breath, wondering what that would look like for me.“Um, your thoughts are intriguing and worth consideration.”
“Venus, it’s been a decade.You don’t know what Henry wants,” he says, “but you should ask him.Better yet, ask yourself.”
CHAPTER20
Henry
Marnie’s phonebuzzes between the leftover bits of my snack tray and her open Trapper Keeper as we’re finishing our meeting.
She answers it on speaker.“Hi, Dr.Blake.Thanks for returning my call.”
