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“I’m in love with you.”
He blinked, went to speak then stopped.
I didn’t. I ripped the bag wide open, and the cat was free to roam.
“I am. I have been for years. I love being around you. I love our conversations. I love spending time with you, and when I don’t see you, I miss you. A lot. You’re more than a friend to me, and I know, it doesn’t make sense, and I haven’t said anything because, you know, I’m me and you’re you and there really wasn’t a good time to talk about it, and then there was Lindsay and—”
The only reason I stopped talking was that I’d run out of breath.
I should’ve turned and run the other way. My cheeks should’ve been on fire at this admission. I should’ve been horrified and embarrassed and ready to hide. But I wasn’t.
Instead, I felt free. Finally—finally—Owen knew.
“Emmy. . .what?” He stood, and then took a step back, hand up, palm facing me. “Why are you telling me this now? Why now?”
I stood too, emboldened. “Because I want you to know that Lindsay’s wrong.”
“But—” He spun around, looking lost. “I—”
“Owen.” I summoned all the courage I’d lacked all these years and said it again. “I love you.”
He turned back to me, and for the second time that day, I’dl never forget the look on his face.
It looked scared.
“I gotta go.”
I blinked. “You. . .what?”
Instantly, it hit me. I’d ruined everything.
What have I done?
I panicked. “Owen, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to blurt that out like that. . .”
He didn’t say anything else. He just held up his hand to say stop, shook his head and walked away.
He left.
Panic washed over me. What have I done?
My dock. His altar.
I turned and faced the water. Alone.
I’m such a fool.
I stood, and as the tears fell, I wished I could take it all back.
Emmy
Present Day
But I can’t.
I can’t change what I said or when I said it. And now, eight years later, even with the understanding that I screwed up that day, instead of saying I’m sorry, I stupidly dig in my heels and choose stubbornness and pride over humility.
“You should’ve at least said goodbye,” I say. Because that’s also true, right?
