“He’s fine. I was just weighing if I should tell you something.”
“Well, you have to tell me now.” Jenna clutched a pillow to her chest as if it could serve as a barrier against whatever Sofia was about to say.
“I stopped in AmaRin this afternoon and Ty was there.” The pause seemed to last eons. “He was in a corner booth—with Britt.”
Jenna hadn’t even realized his ex-wife was on the island. “Oh.”The thought of Ty withanyother woman, much less Britt, made Jenna’s heart hurt. But meeting up with Britt didn’t mean anything. “I’m sure he was just getting closure or something. The relationship ended pretty suddenly. He kind of spun out.”
“That’s true. That’s completely possible.”
She knew Sofia too well. “What aren’t you saying?”
“I was in the lobby and I didn’t have a great view of them. But they were holding hands across the table, Jenna. And the way she was gazing at him, all moony eyed... it didn’t look good.”
It was impossible to believe Ty could’ve moved on that fast. “I don’t know what you saw, but I know Ty. He would never go back to Britt. Certainly not one week after our breakup.”
“I didn’t think so. But I thought you deserved to know what I saw. You’re probably right. It was just closure, I’m sure.”
It was all innocent, no doubt. But eventually Tyson would find someone else. The thought of him moving on made her feel sick. She’d finally fallen in love with the right person. But it hadn’t been enough.
“You okay?” Sofia asked.
“Yeah.” Her voice wobbled on the lie.
“Can I be honest, Jen?”
“Therapist honest or best-friend honest?”
“A little of both, I guess.”
What did Jenna have to lose? She was already miserable. “Lay it on me.”
“A while back you mentioned some counseling for those grief issues. Have you given that any more thought?”
“I assume you think I need it.”
“It wouldn’t hurt, would it? You and Tyson were so good together. I hate that you gave up something that made you so happy.”
“I didn’t even have to give it up—Ty just knew what was going on inside me. He practically read my mind.” She remembered Jason’s reason for proposing—because she just “needed a little push.” What a contrast.
“He knows you so well.”
“Being with him was everything I dreamed. It felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be. But when he had that accident, I realized it wasn’t enough.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“It scared me so badly. I don’t want to give someone my whole heart only to lose him.”
“Like you lost your dad?”
“Yes!” It was hard to admit out loud. She didn’t want to believe she was such a coward. “My stupid fears got in the way, and I let go of the man who was meant for me in every way.”
“Jen, this isn’t an irrevocable problem. Fear can be overcome. It might take time, but you’re strong enough to fight through it and reach the other side.”
Was she? It sure didn’t feel like it.
“You can do this, Jen. Trust me on that.”
Jenna wiped a tear from her cheek. “Well, you are an expert.”
