New York, Actually (From Manhattan with Love 4)

“But after he met you he still walked Brutus.”

“The dog is friends with Valentine. That’s all it was.”

“Sure. Of course, I’m sure you’re right.” Mark paused. “So that’s it then?”

“That’s it.” Her mouth was dry. “All my life I’ve felt as if I wasn’t enough. I grew up knowing that, that whatever I was, it wasn’t enough to stop my mother leaving. Then my professional life fell apart because I wasn’t enough there either. I live with this fear that people will judge me and find me lacking. Everything I have here—my work, my friendships—it all still feels fragile.”

“And Daniel didn’t understand that?”

“Oh no, he understood perfectly. In fact he said—” she snatched a breath “—he said I was enough for him.”

Mark stared at her. “Wow.” His voice cracked. “Well… that’s—”

“Unrealistic?”

“I was going to say it’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.”

“You think so?”

“He’s telling you he loves you, Molly. You. The real you. He doesn’t want anyone different, and he doesn’t want you to be different. You’re the relationship expert, not me, but isn’t that the goal? Isn’t that what we all want? To meet someone who will love us as we truly are? No pseudonyms, no online personas, no hiding and no fakery. Just honesty.” He swallowed. “If you were Aggie, advising someone on this situation, what would you say?”

She tried to find objectivity in the swirl of emotions. “I’d say they were lucky to have met someone who felt that way. I’d say that finding someone who truly knows you, and loves you for who you are, is a rare gift in today’s world. I’d advise them to think hard before turning down something so special.” She stared at him, heart pounding. “But I’ve thought hard. I’ve thought really hard. And I feel guilty that I can’t return his feelings, but I can’t. And I told him to go, and he’s gone.”

“Well, then, you have nothing to worry about.” Mark patted her leg and stood up. “You’ve got the outcome you wanted. You should be happy.”

Happy? She’d never felt more miserable in her life. “I’ve hurt him.”

“He’ll get over it. Daniel Knight is a catch, Molly. His heart will mend, he’ll meet someone else, get married, have a million babies and be fine.” His words punched the air from her lungs.

“You think he’ll have a million babies?”

“Not literally. It was a figure of speech. I’m telling you he’ll be okay. He’ll find someone else. And in the meantime, your reputation is intact and you will go on to do great things with your career. So in the end, everyone lives happily-ever-after.”

This was happily-ever-after? It felt as if someone had gouged out her insides with a sharp object.

But Mark was right, wasn’t he? Daniel would get over her. He’d meet someone else, and they’d get married and have lots of babies and they’d never get divorced because Daniel wouldn’t marry someone unless he was sure—

“I don’t feel too good.” She pressed her fingers to her forehead, her breathing rapid. “Light-headed. Weird.”

“Lack of sleep. Lack of food. I’ll get you something.” He head

ed for the kitchen and brought her a glass of water.

“I feel dizzy. I think I might faint.”

“Damn it, Molly.” Mark put his hand behind her neck and pushed her head down. “You’re the same color as mozzarella. And you’re hyperventilating. I’m no good at first aid. Do not faint. Do I call Gabe or 911?”

“Neither.” She closed her eyes and slowed her breathing and finally her head stopped spinning. “You’re right. This is just because I haven’t eaten. That’s all it is.”

“Except that we all ate pizza at two in the morning. So it can’t be that.” He put the water down next to her.

“Lack of sleep, then.”

“Possibly, except that it came on when I told you Daniel would get over you and meet someone else.”

“Relief, then. Eventually I can stop feeling guilty.”

Mark sat down next to her. “Are you sure that’s what it is?”