Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 83355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
“Touché,” he says with a sheepish grin. “In that case,” he says, offering a fist for me to bump, “have a good dinner. Fill me in tomorrow.”
“Later, man.”
I watch as he walks into the hotel and then turn to Emily. “This is your town. Somewhere close by we can walk to grab dinner?”
She jerks her head down the way. “There’s a good place two blocks down.”
It’s blustery and I pull my coat around me as we head uptown. Emily leads us to a cozy little place called the Windy City Bistro and we’re seated at a quiet table in the back. The dim lighting and jazz playing in the background set a calming atmosphere and I order a beer while she orders a dirty martini.
While we wait for our drinks, I ask her, “Tell me about your mom.”
“The doctors found that the cancer has spread to her lymph nodes,” she says, her voice trembling. “She needs more aggressive treatment now—but the mortality rate is really high and the prognosis is bleak.”
“Shit.” I rub my hand over my jaw. “I’m so sorry, Em. How is your mom taking it?”
Her smile is tremulous, accompanied by a slight bubbly laugh. “Oh, you know her. Strong and determined, no matter what the doctors say. She says she’ll beat this. But I’m so scared, Jack.”
“I don’t have any good words to offer, but I know one thing for sure… your mom is a warrior. If anyone can beat this, it’s her. And I think mental attitude is such a huge part of the process. When the mind is strong, the body is strong. My advice is to do whatever you need to do to keep your mom mentally focused on winning. Don’t let her see your moments of weakness, but it’s okay to have them. Just do it in private.”
Tears stream down Emily’s face and she reaches out to take my hand which feels awkward, but I don’t pull away. “You were always so good at supporting me, making me feel better about things. That’s good advice.” She sighs longingly, wiping her tears with her napkin. “I wish we were still together. I know it’s selfish of me to have those regrets now, but my emotions are high and they make me honest.”
I gently tug my hand free, trying to keep my tone reassuring. “Emily, I can be here as a friend, but that’s all it can be.”
She rests her hands in her lap, her eyes moist but clear. “You never wonder about what we could be if we got back together? We have a few years of maturity on us and we were together for almost eight years. Surely that accounts for something.”
I don’t know what to say. It’s clear she’s making a pitch. “But we moved on.”
“For a time,” she admits with a nod. “But I’m different now and so are you. Maybe we could have a second chance.”
This is so out of left field. While I suspected she was feeling vulnerable and perhaps hopeful, I didn’t expect a full-out request that I consider getting back together.
“I’m with Willa now.” It’s the strongest statement I can make.
“I know. But you’ve been with her a few weeks at most. Your feelings can’t be that strong.”
“Actually, they are,” I deadpan. “You’re right. You and I are different. We’re more mature. Who we are today is based on experiences in the past and I’m sorry if this hurts, Emily, but when I say I’ve moved on, I have. I’m only looking forward and Willa is in my line of sight.”
Her face crumples, fat tears form and then spill. “I wasn’t expecting that.” She sniffles, dabs at her eyes. “I thought the years together would mean so much more.”
Maybe they would have before I met Willa. Maybe this would be a different conversation if she weren’t in the picture, but she is and there’s not one single curiosity within me as to what a rekindled relationship with Emily would look like.
“I can be your friend, Em, but that’s all it can be.”
She nods, a sad smile on her face. “Of course, I understand. I’m sorry for putting you in this position.”
“Don’t apologize,” I reassure her. “You’re understandably overwhelmed right now. And I’m glad you told me all this. I’m glad we’re talking about it.”
Emily nods again, takes one last wipe at her eyes and a deep breath. When she lets it out, she says, “I have no experience with cancer. It’s all so scary and I think the lack of understanding is what’s causing the most angst.”
I’m relieved to have her switch subjects away from us, a seeming acceptance of my letdown. “That makes sense. I’m not sure if it will help or not, but my teammate Boone’s been through a cancer ordeal with his fiancée’s little brother. I’m sure he or Lilly would be glad to talk to you about what it’s like from a family member’s perspective.”