Page 99 of Her Passionate Hero

“I mean that it’s over. I don’t need any consolation, I’m so far past that point, that I’m not even going to look for any.”

“It hasn’t even been a day. You’ll feel differently tomorrow.”

Lottie’s eyes met hers. “Honey, I have the piece of paper on the wall. I know things. Here’s what I know. A heart can only hold so much sorrow before it shuts down.”

Aliana knew better than to try to change her mind. Time would be the only thing that could heal the pain. Even now, despite all the inroads Hunter had made, she still found it hard to believe there might be a future for the two of them. The fact that he had to go so suddenly seemed to be a harbinger of things to come. Maybe it would be for the best if―

“Stop it!” Lottie commanded from her hospital bed.

“Stop what?”

“Stop setting things up for failure before they’ve even started.”

“Is that what your piece of paper tells you?” Aliana let the sarcasm fly. “Lucky for you, I happen to agree with you. I’m sick and tired of letting old tapes run my life. But you better watch out my friend because that also means I’m not going to put up with your happy horseshit for very long.”

Aliana leaned in and carefully hugged her friend so she didn’t hurt her injuries. “I love you. Of course, you get time to grieve. But in no way shape or form do you get to spout some nonsense about your heart being out of business for good. That’s just not going to happen. Not on my watch.”

“Back off Aliana.”

“You’ve had my back for years, Lottie. I’m going to return the favor. I love you.”

“If you do this, I will never let you give up on Hunter,” Lottie threatened.

“I’m counting on that.”

Chapter Fifteen

It was four o’clock. Their SKYPE call was supposed to have taken place between one and four o’clock. Please say he would still be calling. This would be her seventh chance to see him since he’d left last month, and she needed these calls like she needed air to breathe.

Aliana refused to leave the new computer that was on top of the new desk in her new apartment. That was just one more bit of information she wanted to share with Hunter, she’d taken a lease on an apartment. It was month-to-month. It was a little more money that way, but it allowed her the flexibility to easily leave when she found the right place.

She checked her internet connection for the sixty-third time and then sat back in her office chair.

“Come on, please call.”

Sakra! She was getting on her own damn nerves. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath and blew it out for a count of three. She did it five more times before checking her internet connection for the sixty-fourth time.

“Get it together,” she said out loud in Czech. She reached for her purse and pulled out her wallet. She rifled through it until she found what she was looking for. She unfolded the old lined piece of paper and stopped for a moment to admire Hunter’s bold printing.

Dear Aliana,

This letter closes one chapter for us, but starts another. For ten years you have given me your smiles. You made me feel better about myself, and whenever I wavered, I always chose a righteous path because I wanted you to be proud of me. Your friendship saved me.

I know you’re sad I’m leaving. I know you’re probably even angry, but you won’t show it because you’re too kind. There is no way I would ever leave you behind. You are always part of my heart. Always. But I want more. I know we each have lives to live, but I want our futures to always be connected.

Alia, I know how hellish it can be in school, but you are the strongest girl I know. Please hold on. Please continue to be my friend as our next chapter starts.

Now I’ll tell you a secret, I’ve always needed you more than you ever needed me.

-Love

Hunter Diaz

She checked the internet connection…again. Aliana wiped away a tear. She wasn’t going to get to talk to Hunter today, and she’d had so much to tell him. She folded up the letter and carefully put it back into her wallet. She thought about all of her news.

Shorinda had gotten Ana Garcia a job at the nursing home, and now, the woman only needed to work one job instead of two and a half. She had been doing a great job with Aliana’s mother. As a result, the last two times she had visited, Maminka had recognized her.

Ana was also acting like a lioness around her two children, and she made it absolutely clear to Nicolas she considered him hers. Darla’s pregnancy was progressing well, and Lottie was her birth coach. It seemed to be helping both of them heal.