“Yes. You are your own person! We all are.”
“Do you know why he finally came around?”
“Why?” I ask.
“Because Blake talked to him.”
I feel a stabbing ache I have no right to feel. “Blake cares a lot for you. He would do anything to help you find your place. I don’t think Blake will ever stop caring.” I believe that. I still don’t think Caroline and Blake are the right fit, but that has nothing to do with me, especially if they’re still seeing each other.
“Hayden, I also realized this wasn’t right for Blake. I’ve always known that.”
“Didn’t he give his notice?”
“I don’t mean that. I mean, I knew this relationship wasn’t right for him…our relationship. I’ve clung on to him unfairly.”
“It’s hard to let go, Caroline.”
“But I did.”
“You guys broke up?” I ask incredulously.
“We did that night, after we left your house.”
“What? Why haven’t I heard from you since then? Why didn’t you tell me?” This is shocking.
I wondered idly why Blake hadn’t tried to contact me, either. It has been a while. I guess it would be too soon still. Or maybe he was just using me; maybe I was just a way for him to get out of his relationship with Caroline.
“I was jealous of you, Hayden.”
“Jealous of me?”
“Because you know exactly who you are, and Blake could see that. And it was something I had been grappling with for so long within myself. I didn’t know who I was.” She looks past me as if she’s in deep thought. “Anyway, Hayden. I’ve got to get going.”
“Okay. I’m so glad I got to see you,” I say.
“Hayden?”
“Yeah?”
“Blake will always be in my life.”
I nod vigorously. “Of course. You have a history. You care for each other.” It wouldn’t be right for them to completely break things off. They’re family.
“I’d like you to be in my life as well.”
I’m touched. I find myself giving her a watery smile. “I would love that.”
“You’ve really changed things up for me. In a good way, I’ve realized.”
“How about weekly lunches and a little shopping? Do you think your dad would go for that?”
“Absolutely. We’re all turning over new leaves. Even him,” she says.
As she walks away, I’m so proud to see how I’ve helped her. This is what my job is about. This is why I love it. I have the power to affect positive change, and help people realize who they are, and who they can be. I begin walking toward Frankie, feeling fulfilled and happy, and I almost stop short when I realize I’m still thinking about Blake and if I’ll ever see him again.
Chapter 15
I’m sitting in a café in Buckhead waiting for Caroline when I overhear a very confident man speaking on the phone about some company being sued for fraud. Being my nosy self, I turn and take him in. He’s my age, the kind of man who’s been wearing a suit and tie his whole life. And he’s wearing it well, by the way.
