Go.Betty’s words echoed in her ear.Life is too short to put things off.
“Okay, okay,” she muttered.She set down her empty glass and made her way across the room.
Lance saw her coming and excused himself from his conversation, meeting her halfway.
“Hi,” he said.
“Hi.”
They stood there, the music and conversation buzzing around them, acting as though they were strangers again.
“You look nice,” he said finally.
“Thank you,” she said.“You look nice too.”
“I saw you speaking to Betty earlier.”
“She told me you were here.And reminded me that life is short.”
“She said the same thing to me yesterday.I got a real earful.”
Raven laughed.“She’s not very subtle, is she?”
“Never has been.”He stepped closer, lowering his voice.“Raven, I’ve been thinking…”
“Me too.”She took a breath.“I’m sorry.For pushing you away.For making you feel like you weren’t a priority.”
“It did hurt,” he said quietly.“Not because of Wren.Because you shut me out.I can handle complications, Raven.I can’t handle not being let in.“
“Wren did need me, but I’ve been using her as an excuse.”She looked up into his eyes.
“I’m still here.Excuse for what?”
“I was afraid.”
“Afraid of what?”
“Afraid of you.”
He frowned.“I would never hurt you, you know.”
“I should rephrase that.I’m not afraid of you.But… I’m afraid of depending on a man again.Any man.It’s never really worked out for me before.”
“Well, I guess we’re even.”He said.“My ex-wife leaving me was hurtful, and it’s going to take me a while to completely trust another woman.”He reached out and took her hand, and she squeezed his in return.“But I’d like to try with you.I think we can figure this out together.To not give up before we see where this can go.What do you say?”
“I don’t want to give up either.I miss you.But I need you to know that for now, and probably for the rest of my life, Wren will be a priority.She’s my daughter.”
“I know.I have daughters too, remember?I understand.”
“And the expansion project.I want us to be able to work together without it being complicated.If this doesn’t work out?—”
“Then we’ll be adults about it.”He squeezed her hand again.“But I don’t think that’s going to be a problem.Do you?”
“No,” she said.“I don’t.”
“So…?”He nodded toward the dance floor.“Want to try seeing a bit more of each other again?Maybe start with a dance?”
“I’m sorry I pushed you away.”
