Bereft (Seven Year Itch #2)(59)

Chapter 34


Rachel


Six months have gone by fast. I’d been in low places, and found that with time I could overcome my fears and forgive myself for the wrong choices I’d made in my life. I didn’t have regrets, not any I’d want to change. I wasn’t exactly in a happy place, but I was beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

For a long while nothing felt right. I was lost, tortured by my own emotions on a daily basis. Things got worse once Chad relocated his side of the company to the West Coast. I think I cried for weeks, not because he was gone, we hadn’t been involved since the night we called it quits. I was just lonely. I felt like my friend was gone. Even though I could still chat with him, it wasn’t the same as having a lunch companion, someone who understood everything I’d been through.

Since Charles had been retired, the office was quiet. Things were going smoothly.

Stephanie visited me every other weekend, kind of like visitation when kids are young. Grayson and I had kept in touch. Truth be told, I missed our life, especially now that Chad wasn’t around to distract me. It was like I needed time alone to see what I wanted. Anyway, when we spoke it was just about normal things. A few times we’d both break down. Up until last week we hadn’t seen each other. Then, out of nowhere he asked me out on a date.

I was shocked.

Time had passed, giving me proof he wasn’t involved with Kyla. Stephanie had been snooping around and found out her ex-friend was seeing someone new, having long forgotten about her tryst with Grayson.

So much for love.

As for me, well I took Grayson up on the offer. We’d planned to meet up on Friday night in Annapolis for some waterfront dining. We’d gone there for one of our anniversary dinners, so we knew how much we loved the cuisine.

I was pretty excited about seeing him. I wondered if he’d let himself go, or if he was still the stunning man who made me weak in the knees. According to our daughter, he’d been doing better. After some time seeing a therapist, he’d come to terms with what couldn’t be changed. In all honesty, I think his affair was more trying on him than mine.

I was in a good place; one where I was open-minded, and ready to forgive. It had taken me a while. I’d lost a lot.

That Friday morning I woke up at the crack of dawn. I went into the office and got everything done early so I was able to have a half-day. Nothing was going to keep me from seeing Grayson and starting over as if we’d just met. My mind was made up. No matter how long it would take us, I knew he was the man I was supposed to be with. This was no longer about which man gave me the greatest pleasure. I wasn’t blinded by lust. This was about something deep inside, a powerful love that could stand the test of time. I knew that now.

Stephanie called me three times during the afternoon. She was overjoyed about the two of us reconnecting, and according to her, so was Grayson. With nothing standing in our way, I hurried to prepare for a our special date, wearing something sexy, and adding a perfume he’d gotten me last Christmas. I spent too long on my hair, and messed up my makeup once before finally getting it right. Every detail had to be perfect. This second chance was all we were going to have. If we screwed this up now there was no going back. I had to live with that.

I don’t even remember the forty minute drive to Annapolis, or the horrible traffic I had to endure to get there. I managed to find a close parking spot and hurried into the restaurant, hopeful he was there waiting for me.

After letting the hostess know about our reservations, she took me to our table and handed me a menu while I waited.

Five minutes passed.

Then ten.

Nearly twenty.

I tried calling his phone but got no answer. Figuring he was stuck in rush hour traffic, I ordered a glass of wine and tried not to worry.

Before I knew it, an hour had gone by and no Grayson.

While I tried his number again, I paid for my wine, figuring he’d changed his mind about us. Maybe Grayson wasn’t as ready to move forward as me. Maybe it was too late for reconciling.

I made it to my car before Stephanie called. I ignored the first one, because I couldn’t bear to break her heart with the news. Then she continued calling me until I finally picked up. “Honey, he didn’t show.”

“Mom,” she sounded frantic. “It’s Daddy. The neighbors found him out front unconscious. I’m trying to get to the hospital now.”

“What? No. He’s meeting me for dinner.” I was in denial.

“Mom, you need to come. I don’t know much. Mrs. Constance said she thinks it’s his heart.”

“His heart? Your dad is healthy as an ox. I’m sure he’s going to be fine,” I lied. I didn’t want her driving while breaking down, especially in the city. “Where are they taking him?” I was already getting in my car prepared to speed to get to them.

“Hopkins. They’re taking him to Hopkins. That’s why I know it’s bad. Why would they take him there if it wasn’t?”

She had a point. “I’m on my way, sweetie. Please be careful. I’ll see you in thirty minutes.”

My drive into Baltimore was full of emotions. I kept thinking about the worst of scenarios, arriving and him already being gone. I wondered how long he’d been suffering, and if he’d been in a lot of pain, but tried to push through it to make our date. I wondered if this was a direct result of the toll our breakup had put on him.