Page 66 of My Heart Belongs to You

I shook my head because not many people knew about beef bacon. Summer was fasho a regular at Over Easy.

ROBYN:

Thanks for that. I'll bring her one tomorrow.

NADIR:

What’s happening tomorrow?

ROBYN:

Getting my hair done, FINALLY.

“Nadir?” came from behind me. I locked my phone while turning to see who was there. My stomach twisted when my eyes landed on Vanessa’s sister Valerie. She smiled and reached for a hug. I extended my arm and accepted the loose and awkward embrace.

“It’s been a minute. How have you been?”

The last time I saw Valerie, she ducked me like she owed me money. We were at the grocery store and had entered the same aisle at opposite ends. Our eyes met and she turned around. I stood there dumbfounded by the interaction. I always thought Valerie and I were cool. It was after that day that I questioned what Vanessa told her when she and Avery moved. I never considered how she viewed our breakup.

“I’ve been fine. It’s funny running into you here. I’ve been thinking about calling you.”

My eyebrows met. “Really?”

“Yes. First, I need to apologize for that time at Fresh Mart. I’m too damn grown to be acting like that. I just didn’t know what to say to you. I was so mad at Vanessa for what she did to you.”

I sighed. “How’s she doing?”

The question came out before I could stop myself. My desire to know if her moving was worth it outweighed my pride.

“She’s good; enjoys her job and neighborhood. Avery is doing great. Just started ballet lessons.”

My heart swelled with joy at the mention of Avery. “I’m happy she’s in dance lessons. I sent her a pair of slippers for her birthday. Not sure if Vanessa kept them.”

Valerie nodded. “She did. I told her to stop treating you like a deadbeat trying to come back around. The way you cared for Avery was such a blessing to us all. I wish things didn’t end how they did.”

“Me too, but it’s okay. Life goes on.”

Running into Valerie was timely given the conversation I had with Robyn last night. It wasn’t too long ago that I was sad, missing Avery and Vanessa. As time went on, the pain lessened. They crossed my mind from time to time, but I learned not to dwell. Spending too much time thinking about them would only set me back.

“Yes, it does,” she said solemnly. “She told me you were going to propose. I wish she had given you a chance to do so. Deep down, I always knew she’d leave though.”

“Me too,” I revealed with a wry chuckle. “She hated it here and I had no plans of leaving. I was working overtime to convince her Roseville was the place for us to raise a family.”

“I can only blame our parents. They thought having a baby would save their marriage. Vanessa always felt like an afterthought, which she was, especially when she was in high school. Our parents couldn’t be in the same room without fighting. Daddy was so trifling, having affairs all over town.”

Vanessa had a lot of unresolved issues with her family. When I met her, they were attempting another reconciliation. Over time, issues from her childhood arose and family disagreements happened. She'd go weeks without speaking to her parents and sister, leaving me and Avery in a tough spot. When things with her family were at its worst, she moved across the country, leaving me in the process. I was left to wonder how much our relationship issues stemmed from her abandonment issues.

“Platter order for Nadir!” the cashier yelled from behind the to-go counter.

I sighed, pleased that I had an exit from this conversation.

“That’s me,” I said to Valerie. She side-stepped, allowing me room to pass. After retrieving my bag, I started toward the door.

“Hey,” Valerie said, grabbing my forearm. “Avery will be here this summer. I think it’ll be good for you to see her and get a proper goodbye.”

My heart pounded and my mouth dried. “Have you run this by Vanessa?”

“I did. She’s thinking about it. The more we talk about everything and peel back the layers, we realize how much of our actions are reactions. Let me know if that’s something you want and we will set time aside.”