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“Me? Why?”
“Because you’re following my path and as I’ve been sitting and looking back on my life, I see the mistakes I’ve made. It’s too late for me, but not for you. You’re still young...”
“You’re not that much older than me, El.”
“Almost twenty years,” Eleanor corrected.
“Still...I don’t see where you or I have made life-altering mistakes.”
“When was the last time you did something just for fun? Or bought yourself something frivolous?” She paused for a moment. “I wish I had gone and had a torrid affair with a Greek man named Nico, or taken salsa lessons or learned to do the tango.” She grinned. “And then had a torrid affair with a beautiful Latino man named Mateo.”
Sienna was starting to notice a pattern here.
“I never went to Disneyland or to the top of the Empire State Building. I never sat and binged shows like Sex and the City or gone out for a girls’ night where we went to dinner and a movie to see the latest rom-com.” She laughed softly. “I never let myself fall in love or hold a newborn baby in my arms.” Tears shone brightly in her eyes. “And now...I never will.”
This time, it was Eleanor reaching out and clasping Sienna’s hand.
“Take the trips, Sienna. Dance in the rain, make love to a man with wild abandon, live your life, fall in love...don’t give all of your heart to this job—this field of research. Give your heart to everything this world has to offer. Open yourself to new experiences—not for the sake of learning, but for the memories.” She gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Promise me. Promise me you’ll do it. Tomorrow isn’t promised, and I’d hate to think of you having regrets later on like I am.”
She fought back her own tears. “I promise. I promise you, Eleanor, that I will.”
But in that moment, she wasn’t sure she could actually follow through on any of it.
“Only one way to find out,” she murmured to herself as she waited for the elevator. There were easily a hundred people waiting with her, so, rather than stand in the crowd, Sienna decided the stairs weren’t a bad option.
Even though her feet were screaming from wearing heels all day.
“Just because I’m a neuropsychologist, doesn’t mean I don’t love pretty shoes.”
Stepping out into the lobby, she looked around to get her bearings and spotted the bar. As expected, it was crowded, but she wasn’t deterred.
At least not at first.
After waiting for over twenty minutes just to get near the bar, she glanced toward the lobby and wondered if she should just go someplace else. It was New York City and there certainly wasn’t any shortage of places to eat and drink, so maybe she should cut her losses and go.
But because she was an over-thinker, she pulled out her phone to search for what specifically was close by. No need to wander around aimlessly.
That’s when she noticed she’d missed a bunch of texts and calls.
“That can’t be good.”
She smiled when she saw they were from her brother Jason, but then instantly feared something was wrong since he seemed desperate to reach her.
First, she read the texts.
Jason: Are you seriously here in NY and you didn’t call?
“Oops...”
Jason: Where are you staying?
Jason: When is the conference over?
Jason: Any chance you’re free for dinner? Bree and I would love to see you.
Sighing, Sienna noted that all the texts were from two hours ago before scrolling over to listen to the voicemails he’d left.
“Hey! Why did I have to hear from Mom and Dad that you were in town?” he asked with just the right mix of humor and hurt. “Seriously, I’m sure you’re busy with the conference, but we’d love to see you. Call me when you get this.”
