I hesitate, then exhale.“It’s… a lot lonelier than I thought it’d be.”
She tilts her head at me, watching closely.“Lonelier?”
I nod.It’s easier to talk to Bridget than I expected.She’s not judging, just listening.And that’s what I needed.“Yeah.I mean, I’m good at the work.That part’s fine.I like the challenge.But it’s different now.Before, I had someone to share it all with.Now, it’s just me in my office with coffee and a lot of paperwork.”
Her lips press together thoughtfully.“You mean Regan.”
I glance down at my glass.“Yeah.”
“She hasn’t called?”
“Nope.”
“Have you?”
I shake my head.
“Well, there’s your problem.”
I let out a dry laugh.“It’s not that simple, Bridget.”
“It is.”She sets her glass down.“You miss her.You’re miserable without her.So… go get your girl.”
I blink at her, because I have thought of that many times.But every time I pull her contact up on my phone, I freeze.“What am I supposed to say?‘Hey, I know you moved your entire life to New York for this dream job, but I’d really like you back in mine?’”
“Yes,” she says flatly.“That’s exactly what you should say.”
“You don’t understand—”
“I understand more than you think.You’re in love with her.And instead of doing anything about it, you’re sulking and convincing yourself she’s better off without you.”
I open my mouth, then shut it.
She raises an eyebrow.“Tell me I’m wrong.”
I can’t.Because she isn’t.
“Look…” she continues, softer now.“If she’s happy in New York, great.But maybe she’s not.Maybe she’s just waiting for a reason to come back.Or maybe she just needs to know someone still cares enough to ask.”
I run a hand down my face.The idea of calling her terrifies me.Not because I don’t know what to say—I do—but because once I say it, there’s no taking it back.“You really think I should call her?”
“I think you should do what you’ll be proud of one year from now.What would you regret more?Reaching out and getting hurt?Or doing nothing and wondering?”
I stare down at the wine in my hand.I’d regret letting her slip away without a fight.
“Yeah,” I say quietly.“Okay.”
Bridget pats my arm.“There’s the brother I know.”
She heads off to help Mom put Aria to bed, leaving me alone in the kitchen with too many thoughts and not enough courage.
But the tiniest spark’s there now.A reason to hope, and it’s time to stop being the chief who just fixes everyone else’s problems.It’s time to fix my own.
Chapter 37
Brant
Ibarelysleptlastnight.
