Page 33 of Never Too Late

So, yeah. Fuck, yeah. She needed to go.

For everyone’s sake.

I went back to stare blindly at nothing, counting down the minutes until it was time for Zara to call goodnight and I would be all clear to open that bottle. I didn’t drink usually. But tonight, I needed that blissful oblivion that only alcohol could provide.

I needed to forget about that kiss.

I also needed to stop feeling all the things I did and to quiet down the voice in my head that screamed Sophie’s name over and over.

And that was when it happened.

The pierce I felt only once before in my life.

The moment I laid my eyes on her while she laughed in the main square with her grandmother, and Mrs. McConnell in the square when she first came back.

It wasn’t a need, want, or even love.

It was simply a reminder.

A forgotten fact.

That I was claimed.

A slight cough brought me back and I looked at the woman sitting opposite of me. Specifically, the enormous smile on her face.

“What?” An uneasy feeling swam in me. Vivian was up to something.

“You’re an idiot,” she said through her smile.

That shit again. “Fine, I’ll play,” I sighed and gave in to the game she was playing all day. “Why am I an idiot?”

“Because I saw that kiss and I’ve seen your face while you watched her running away after it.” She took a sip. She was goading me. “And all day I’ve been looking at the torn expression you were sporting. Until now. A lightbulb went off in that brain of yours.”

The saliva poured in my mouth at the mention of the kiss and the memories of it. I was literally salivating after Sophie.

“I’m not torn.” I swallowed.

“Sure, you aren’t,” Vivian said lightly. Then her face got serious. “What did she tell you?”

I don’t know why, I would never know why, but at her question, it was as if the dam broke and I told her everything that happened between Sophie and me from the moment I stormed into her office until that afternoon.

“And the lightbulb?” Vivian asked softly. Gone was all the teasing and calling me an idiot. My friend felt for me. For us.

“Why are you fighting against it?” There was genuine curiosity on Vivian’s face.

“Because she should live a big life, she’s a thoracic surgeon, for Christ’s sake.” I glanced at my girl to make sure she wasn’t eavesdropping. “When she becomes aware of the fact I can’t give her much, she would know it as much as I do. And she would stay. She would never leave. But I would be forced to watch her long for something I can’t provide for her. Something more. Besides, look what happened with Cindy.”

“I won’t go into the reasons why you keep selling yourself short. But you know that’s bullshit, right?” Vivian leaned deep and put her mug on the coffee table that was between us, but she stayed that way and looked at me firmly. She wanted me to take in what she had to say. “Dylan, you’re more than enough. You’re probably every girl’s dream man. But, after I met Sophie, even at a glance, I knew she is perfect for you. You two are perfect for each other.”

When I said nothing, Vivian whispered, “I felt the same with Jack. What you’re feeling with Sophie. And, honey, I would give everything to have it back. Why the hell are you running away from it?”

That hit close to home. I stayed silent. When she got like this, there was nothing in this world that would get Vivian to leave it alone. I just had to ride the wave. If I opened my mouth, she would see her point hit the bullseye and she would drive me crazy.

“Tell me something,” she said conversationally, like she didn’t just tip my world upside down by reminding me of what she lost and what I was willingly throwing away.

“What?” I grunted.

“She said Zara, or I, since you don’t know which one, she was referring to, has your future. And she has your past.” There was a glimmer in her eyes that told me plainly I should brace.