Danielle thought for a while. “But because of you, I met Dane and Collin. I guess there’s a silver lining.”
“Well then, if Dane and Collin make you happy, you shouldn’t be bothered by what others say about you.”
Danielle decided. “I think I’m going to call them.”
“What’s stopping you then?”
Danielle looked away sheepishly. “I wasn’t sure what I should do earlier. I’m also not sure about my feelings. Things went too fast to my comfort.”
“That’s why I said you should follow your heart. I could sit here and analyze your situation, but it won’t matter if you already know the answer.”
“Thanks, Dr. Phil. I—”
Their conversation was interrupted by raps on their door. Fol
lowed by a voice that was too familiar to Danielle’s ears.
It was Brian Ellis, her ex-fiancé.
“Why is he here?” Danielle looked at Kate.
“Oh.” Kate grimaced rather guiltily. “I was desperate, okay?”
Given how that man had made her existence miserable since their infamous breakup, Brian was the last person Danielle wanted to see. She got up from the couch. “I don’t want to see him.”
“Got it. Go to your room while I do the damage control.”
Danielle listened to them talking behind her room door. For some reason Brian insisted on seeing her and knocked on her door. She had to answer him. “Oh, hi, Brian. Sorry I caused trouble for everyone.”
She thought if she faced Brian she’d get distraught again over their cancelled engagement, but she was surprised that he didn’t have that much effect on her anymore. She was finally over Brian. Had Dane and Collin filled her head and heart so much that she didn’t have room for Brian?
The man she once loved with every bit of her soul watched her with concern. “I was worried when Kate called me. You’ve never acted so impulsively. Did you really go sailing without telling anyone?”
“Yeah,” Danielle told him a bold lie. “It’s my fault. I was carried away and enjoyed myself too much. Hey, you live only once.”
Brian didn’t seem convinced. After all, they dated more than five years. Suffice it to say Brian knew her best after Kate and her mom. “Are you really okay, Danielle?”
“I’m okay. I am.”
“It just that maybe because our—”
Danielle knew where this was going and put a lid on it. “I’m over it, Brian, and I moved on. You deserve a good, respectable girl in your life and I think I also deserve my own happiness. So, there’s no reason for us to bring up what happened in the past. What is done, is done, right?”
Brian flustered for a moment. “Yeah, of course, you’re right.”
“I’m sorry that Kate dragged you into this. She’s had a hard time adjusting to the new me.” Danielle gave Kate a wink.
Kate’s forced grin widened.
“Well, I’m glad you’re okay. I was just worried, you know?”
“Thanks for checking up on me.” Danielle gave Brian a friendly hug and had no emotions. Before, each time she met Brian she had a hard time containing her tears.
Maybe Kate was right all along. All I need is a new love to forget an old one.
“Then I should be going. I’m glad you’re all right. See you, Kate.”
She and Kate saw Brian to the door.