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He texted.
A few weeks ago, she met my brother and me for coffee so I could tell her to quit calling me.
I didn’t believe it. Why would you invite someone to coffee to tell them you didn’t want to have coffee?
I texted back.
Fine. Call me.
The phone rang instantly, and I picked it up.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked.
“This is going to sound insane, but it slipped my mind.”
“You’re right. It does sound insane. How does something like that slip your mind?”
He let out a deep sigh. “No, you’re right. I should have brought it up to you.”
“I just don’t understand.” I felt tears welling up, and I forced them back down.
“She called and left a message the day after you left. I ignored it and went to have lunch with my brother. She called again while we were together, and I told him I couldn’t get her to leave me alone.”
“And?”
“James thought I should invite her to lunch while he was there since it would be in public, and he could help me tell her to buzz off.”
“It obviously worked.”
“Damn it, Emily. I’m just such an idiot, and you’re not in front of me, so you can’t tell that I would do absolutely anything for you. I never meant to hurt you, but I’ve been so busy wallowing in my own self-pity since you left and I didn’t even think about her again. All I think about it is you.”
I closed my eyes, hearing the frenzy in his voice, and I knew he was telling the truth.
Of all the men to accuse of stepping out, it shouldn’t have been him. Guilt puddled deep in my belly, but I couldn’t help it. This long-distance thing was awful.
“Do you believe me?” he asked quietly, and I wanted nothing more than to have him hold me in his arms.
“I believe you, Lucas. I’m sorry for overreacting.”
“You don’t have anything to apologize for. I’m the nimrod who should have told you about the meeting. It was just so unmemorable that it didn’t cross my mind.”
“But what she did today has crossed the line. I’ll figure something out. I’m going to have my parents call hers. I can’t imagine they’d be thrilled to hear this.”
“Such a different world you live in,” I said offhandedly.
“Emily, I’m truly sorry.” He let out a sigh. “Does this set us back?”
“No. I don’t think so. I just…” I sighed. “I think I need a little bit of time. Not really because of this, but just because it’s all happening so fast, and I’m stuck out here, and you’re stuck out there.”
“I love you, Emily. I’ll fix this.”
“I love you too.” I hung up and collapsed onto the couch, knowing I needed some time.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Lucas
I couldn’t believe how badly I’d screwed things up. I believed her words that it didn’t set us back, but it certainly didn’t propel us forward.
