Libby shrugged and tried to look casual but it was impossibly hard. She felt raw inside. ‘So? Since when has that stopped a man from forming other relationships?’
‘You’ve had some rotten experiences,’ Katy admitted quietly, ‘and I know how badly it’s affected you, but I’m sure that this time you’re wrong. Andreas is crazy about you. I know he is. Tell me what happened.’
‘I found a letter…’ Libby found herself telling every detail of that awful afternoon while Katy listened.
‘But it doesn’t make sense, Lib,’ her sister said finally. ‘Why would he virtually propose to you if he was planning to marry another woman? There must be a simple explanation.’
‘The explanation is that he’s the same as every other man,’ Libby said stiffly, and Katy shook her head.
‘You’re not thinking straight,’ she said. ‘I’m absolutely sure that Andreas isn’t the sort of man who would have two women on the go at the same time. He’s too traditional. For goodness’ sake, Lib, can’t you see that?’
Libby stared at her. ‘What do you mean?’
Katy sighed. ‘For a bright girl, you’re very dense when it comes to people. He’s Greek, Libby. Family is hugely important to him. You said that he’d virtually proposed to you. Why would he do that if he was in love with someone else?’
‘I don’t know,’ Libby confessed, ‘and he didn’t offer any sort of explanation.’
‘Knowing you, you went in with all guns blazing and didn’t give the guy a chance to explain.’
Libby stiffened defensively and then her shoulders sagged. That was exactly what had happened. For the first time she wondered if she’d been too hasty. Maybe there was an innocent explanation for the letter.
‘I just find it impossible to trust him,’ she said miserably. ‘It’s me, Katy. It’s all my fault. I’m so messed up I don’t think I’ll ever be able to trust anyone. Perhaps you’d better just shoot me.’
Katy sighed and gave her a hug. ‘I’m not going to shoot you. We’re busy enough in A and E as it is. And you’re not messed up. You’re just very wary of being hurt after everything that’s happened in your life. It’s the same with Alex. You’re both commitment-phobes and I suppose our parents can take the blame for that really. We grew up watching a perfect example of a disastrous relationship. But you’ve got to put that behind you, Lib.’
Libby struggled for control. ‘I don’t know how.’
‘Do you love him?’
Libby gave her a wobbly smile. ‘Oh, yes. So much.’
Katy beamed. ‘Well, that’s good.’
‘Is it?’ Libby sniffed and rummaged in her pocket for a tissue. It certainly didn’t feel good. It felt agonisingly painful and getting through each day was a mammoth exercise in willpower.
‘Of course it’s good. A month ago you didn’t think you could ever fall in love. At least you’ve moved past that stage.’
‘I think I preferred that stage,’ Libby said miserably. ‘It didn’t hurt as much as this stage.’
Katy ignored her. ‘All you need to do now is relax and trust him.’
‘It’s too late,’ Libby said. ‘He’s already decided I’m a lost cause.’
Katy shook her head. ‘You really are hopeless sometimes. You can’t switch love on and off, Lib. If he loves you then he loves you. And I’m willing to bet he’s suffering as much as you are.’
‘He said that our relationship didn’t have a future.’
‘Until you learn to trust him,’ Katy finished, and Libby looked at her helplessly.
‘You make it sound so simple but I have absolutely no idea how to do that.’ She looked at her sister. ‘How do I do that?’
Katy smiled. ‘You have to believe that what you share is special. That it isn’t something he could possibly find with anyone else.’ She paused. ‘Is it special, Libby?’
Libby stared at her, remembering the way she and Andreas had connected from the first moment they’d met, the laughter they’d shared, how well they worked together—and then she remembered their incredible physical relationship.
‘It’s special,’ she croaked finally, and Katy’s smile broadened.
‘Good. Admitting that is the first step to learning to trust. Why would he damage anything so special?’
‘Because men do that all the time?’
Katy shook her head. ‘No. I disagree. There are plenty of mediocre and bad relationships out there and it’s hardly surprising that they go wrong because they were always wrong. But when a relationship is special it stays special and it doesn’t go wrong, Libby. It just grows stronger. Providing you let it.’