‘And did you tell her that?’
Xander shook his head. ‘I was completely blindsided. I had no idea she was going to end things. We’ve been so happy together,’ he sighed. ‘She told me she loved me yesterday and I couldn’t tell her how I felt. I thought I needed the right words, the right time. I don’t know why but I couldn’t say it.’
‘Because it scared you, because no one has ever told you they loved you before and you didn’t know what to do with that. You didn’t know how to react. When you were little you’d send letters and cards to our parents telling them you loved them and never got anythingback. You’re scared of ruining this thing and losing it so you’ve told yourself it has to be perfect – candles, flowers – when she just needs to hear the words.’
Xander didn’t want to hear this. If he’d told Immy he loved her would it have been different?
‘I dismissed her love this morning, when she told me she was doing this because she loved me. I told her she couldn’t love me if she wanted to leave. But now I realise that if you love someone, you’d do anything for them, including breaking your own heart if need be. She was trying to give me this… gift and I just threw it back in her face.’
Logan sighed but for once had no pearls of wisdom to fix all this, which didn’t give Xander hope. His brother always had a solution. As the silence dragged on Xander felt a sense of unease settle over him. ‘You think this is for the best, don’t you?’
Logan looked at him in surprise. ‘Actually no, not even close. She’s great with Etta – before this Etta obviously really liked her. And yes, Etta will feel unsettled by the new changes but I think most older siblings go through that when there’s a new baby on the way. I know I had my doubts at the start but any idiot can see how happy she makes you. And without sounding lame, that’s all I’ve ever wanted for you.’
‘That is lame.’
Logan rolled his eyes. ‘No, I was just thinking of ways that you can fix this. Unfortunately I have nothing.’
‘Helpful.’
‘It sounds like you covered it all when you broke up.I’m not sure what more you can say, other than “I love you” – you should probably lead with that. But if you do manage to fix it and start again, I think it needs to be slow to give Etta a chance to get used to it.’
‘I said that too.’
‘Then you’ve covered all bases.’
‘Except the one to get her back.’
‘Except that one.’
‘This has been a good talk, thanks.’
‘I can’t solve all your problems, sometimes you have to fix them yourself.’
Xander shook his head. He just wished he knew how.
Suddenly Xander’s mobile phone rang and his heart leapt when he looked at the screen and saw who it was.
‘It’s Immy.’
‘Do you want me to go?’
‘No, hang on a second. If I need you to go I’ll give you the nod.’
He quickly swiped the screen to answer but before he even had a chance to say hello, she spoke.
‘Xander, I need you.’ She sounded tearful.
‘What’s wrong?’
There was a pause and he could almost feel her trying to decide whether to tell him. ‘I… I can’t tie my shoelaces.’
He blinked in surprise. Of all the things he’d been hoping or thinking she might say, he hadn’t been expecting that.
‘You said, no matter what happens between us, you’d always be here for me.’
‘I’ll be in over in ten seconds,’ Xander said, then hung up. ‘I have to go,’ he said to Logan. ‘Can you lock up the shop and then make sure Max isn’t giving Etta too much ice cream?’
‘I’ll sort everything out here, don’t worry. Take as much time as you need,’ Logan said.
