Compass (Second Chances 1)

My good health is a gift. Happiness has eluded me at times. Wealth was there until it was stripped from me when I dropped out of medical school. My parents donated my trust fund to a worthwhile charity since I wasn’t in line to follow the dream they had for me.

Love is the most complex in my life.

I have loved one woman. I still love her with every cell of my being.

My heart beats for her. My future belongs to her.

Yet, here I am, at the East River wondering what the hell I’m supposed to do next.

I touched down at La Guardia an hour ago.

I went home and then hit the sidewalk in running shorts and shoes.

This is where I landed, looking out over the water that used to be my oasis.

Katie is that now.

I want to be that for her, but I don’t know if life is going to allow it.

Madison is set on settling down in Los Angeles. She’s looking for a job and a place to live.

Perry is hanging back to start a new life in London, so Madison agreed to grant me as much time as I want with Kristin.

Her plan is simple.

I move into a place close to them and we pick up where we left off in Nashville before Perry dropped back into the picture.

Kristin will still visit him twice a year, but Madison and I will be her caregivers.

It’s not going to be easy since I’ve built a life in Manhattan.

I spot Gus walking toward me. I raise a hand in greeting. He responds in kind.

“You’ve been MIA.” He pats my shoulder as he passes behind me on his way to the bench. “Where did life take you, Gage?”

“Back to California.”

“You went to see your folks?”

Gus knows I grew up out west. I haven’t gotten into the details about my complicated relationship with my parents.

They love their granddaughter.

They’d love their son more if he were a doctor and not a bartender.

“My daughter,” I correct him taking a seat next to him.

“Kristin.”

I’m surprised that he remembers her name.

“How’s your girl?” He taps my knee. “I bet she’s growing like a weed.”

He’s never seen a picture of her. He has no idea how old she is yet he’s interested.

I suspect that stems from the lack of a family in his life.

“She’ll be as tall as me soon,” I joke.