Belong (Seven Year Itch #3)(23)
I read her message, all the while feeling like she was saying goodbye. Something inside of me panicked. I’d gone years without speaking to her, but for some reason I didn’t want it to stay that way. I had to see her, at least one more time before I went home, at least to apologize again for the way Veronica had reacted. She needed to know I was ending my marriage. I couldn’t leave things the way they’d ended; with her getting in a car and sending me a good riddance email.
It was probably inappropriate, but I felt the need to remind her how important she was to my family, so I replied to the message with an invite for dinner, for both she and Grayson. Ten years had passed. It was time for all of us to get over what happened and understand we’d moved on. As long as Rachel was happy I wouldn’t ever want to interfere in her life.
Rachel:
I sent Veronica packing after what she did during the service and wake. I’d like to show my appreciation for you being so understanding by inviting you and your husband to dinner tonight at the house. It’s just going to be Gracie, and my daughter, so you don’t have to feel uncomfortable. Let’s put the past aside and start over, for my grandfather’s sake. I want to be friends. I miss talking to you. I don’t want to go back to California on bad terms. Plus there’s things in the house I’d like you to have. I can’t keep everything, and I certainly don’t want it going to a stranger. Think about it and let me know. If you already have plans we could do it tomorrow.
Chad
Not even five minutes later I got a response.
Chad:
It’s best if I stay away. There are things you don’t know. I can wait until you go home and meet with Gracie so it’s easier. I don’t want your wife mad again, or to make anyone feel uncomfortable.
Rachel
I wasn’t taking no for an answer.
Rachel:
If you don’t come to dinner, I’ll bring it to you. I’m not asking because I want to pry into your life, or cause trouble. It was more of a peace offering. I feel like you’re the only person I can talk to about my grandfather. You get how I’m feeling. Please reconsider. I promise my wife won’t be here. She went home this morning.
Chad
Chad:
It’s not a good idea. I’m sorry, Chad. As much as I’d like to be there to support you, you and I both know it’s a bad idea.
Rachel
Her words left me upset. The more she rejected my invitation, the harder I wanted to try to convince her to reconsider.
I found Gracie and Harper in the living room. They were setting up a board game preparing to play it. “Want to play with us, Daddy?”
I gave my attention to Gracie. “Actually, Daddy needs to run out for a bit. I was wondering if Gracie would keep an eye on you while I’m gone?”
“Of course I would. We can even start dinner. I’m sure she’s a good helper.”
I kissed Gracie on the head, and then Harper. “I’ll see you girls later. I shouldn’t be long.”
As time goes by life changes, people change, and sometimes even places, but I knew one thing would always remain the same. The location of the agency was downtown. I hadn’t been there in a long time, but I could drive there with my eyes closed, hypothetically of course.
I parked in the garage and started to walk toward the elevators when a memory stopped me dead in my tracks. In the corner of that very stairwell I’d had Rachel. I was crazy for her back then, and when she offered I took it. It was hot and dangerous, making it one of the most memorable encounters of my life.
I smiled as the elevator chimed and doors opened.
I wasn’t sure how much had changed in the office, but was surprised to find the front desk clerk wasn’t there. A sign saying she’d gone to lunch was hanging over her name tag.
Since I knew where to head, I kept moving, traveling to the back of the office until I came to the large doors at the very end. Two firm knocks notified her someone was waiting to see her. I heard Rachel’s voice telling me to come in. I opened the door slowly and walked inside, not knowing what I was going to say at first.
I never expected to find her the way I did when I first stepped foot inside of her office. Rachel was sitting in front of her computer, her cheeks soaked from crying. She was using a tissue to wipe off the remnants. “Sorry, I’m a bit of an emotional mess today,” she said without looking. Her eyes immediately widened when she spotted me. "What are you doing here?"
"I refused to take no for an answer. I figured it would be harder to decline my invitation if it was in person."
"I'm sorry you came all this way for nothing, Chad. My answer remains the same."
"That's unfortunate. I was looking forward to it. Would it be inappropriate if I asked if your answer had something to do with Grayson? It’s not like I was asking you to jump into bed with me."
Rachel blew her nose. I knew it was a normal human action, but it made me feel like she was comfortable to be herself around me. She sniffled before she answered. ?"Grayson hasn't had anything to do with my decisions for a very long time. He died two years ago, Chad. He had a stroke in our kitchen when no one was home to help him."
I was in shock. Finally it all made sense; why he hadn't been around to support her when she was feeling down. "I had no idea. Why didn't ?you contact me? I could have at least sent my condolences. My God, that’s terrible. You should have reached out to me."