“He’s totally HOT!” I say before I can stop myself then slam my hand over my mouth.
She grins and nods in agreement. “Totally.”
“Y’all were a ‘thing’?” I air quote.
“Oh, so much more. We were ‘The Thing’,” she air quotes back.
“Wow! This completely raises his coolness factor. You guys look amazing together. What happened?”
Her face falls immediately, and I know…. know in my heart what happened.
“You chose the career?” I ask tenderly.
“Yes, and we were young and stupid. He was supportive, but I was stubborn. I eventually broke it off after a job offer took me to Oregon. He was always there for me, but I broke his heart. Then he moved on. I never did. It fucking killed me when he married and had a child.
“We were at a convention about two years ago. He was so proud of me, praised my success repeatedly. He harbored no hard feelings, but I was livid. I missed him so much.” Her eyes fill with big, bold tears, and I reach for her hand.
“I told him I was mad. MAD! The careers we both wanted broke us a part. He looked at me with sympathy when I told him I’d give it up to have him back.”
“Holy shit.”
She nods and goes on. “Well, he was stunned and also hurt. I’d left him, ventured into the world to make a new start. Then his wife walked up. She took one look at me and said, ‘He never let you go, either’. I was mortified and left the reception, never looking back. How could I be so selfish? He’s married!”
“Oh my God,” I whisper.
“Yeah, I’ve replayed that moment a thousand times in my mind. The way his eyes widened, looking over my shoulder. His back went straight, his shoulders squared, and he opened his mouth to interrupt. But there she was, hearing that his college lover basically wanted him back.”
“What happened next?”
“Henry called me six months later. He asked me to participate in ‘think tanks’ with other professionals in the industry. He never mentioned that night again. Our relationship is professional now. For the last year and half, I’ve consulted on a few things, but mostly dedicated my time to these summer programs.”
“You never talked about what happened?”
“Not really. Well, not really, until he called me about you.”
“He wanted you to talk to me about your failed relationship?”
“No, he wanted me to talk to you about being in love and having it all. Nowadays, you don’t have to choose. No matter what others may say, you’re in control of your future.”
“I know that.”
Her head shakes slowly. “No, Devon, you don’t understand. People are going to make you feel that certain choices are your only options if you want to succeed. That’s not true. Your love and loyalty are going be tested strongly. YOU make the decisions to guide your future.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying, if I could go back and retrace my steps, I’d have Henry along with me the whole way. He was and still is my other half. But I lost him. And I regret that loss every second of every day. Don’t let that happen to you. If Bryce truly is your equivalent to Henry, don’t ever lose him.”
“My heart hurts thinking of a life without Bryce. It sounds silly since we’re so young, but it’s true. My family hasn’t questioned it once because our bond is so strong. You mentioned all the good-looking men around us. I noticed, but they’re nothing compared to Bryce in my eyes.”
“Young love at its strongest,” she says softly. “The best kind”
“So, Professor Grant’s a closet romantic? Who would have thought?” I say after a few quiet seconds.
“Hell no! He has no idea I’m talking to you about us. He only wanted me to give you advice on what may lie ahead for you. It was me who decided to tell you about us.”
“I’ve always admired you, but my respect is bursting at the seams.”
“I’m going to give you my private number. You call me anytime.”