The Friendship List(109)

“I love you, too.”

“I’m not changing my mind.”

“Me, either. I really don’t want anyone else, Keith. Just you. And Lissa, but you know, as a daughter. And I don’t have a lot of experience with relationships, so I’ll be learning as I go. If you’re okay with that.”

“I am.”

She put her hands on his chest. “So, we’re in a committed relationship?”

“We are.”

“Can we have sex now?”

“Yes. Sex is very much part of the bargain.”

She looked into his handsome face. “I’ve missed that but I’ve missed you more. We’re really good together.”

“I’m glad you think so. Will you marry me?”

“I—” Her mouth dropped open as tears burned in her eyes. “You want to marry me?”

“More than anything.”

“No one’s ever wanted to marry me before.” Tears fell. “Why am I crying? This is happy. Yes, of course I’ll marry you.” She kissed him, unable to stop crying. “What’s wrong with me?”

“You’re having a moment. I kind of like it.”

“I’m being ridiculous.”

“It’s sweet, but if it’s okay with you, I’m going to assume that us being engaged means these are happy tears and I can ignore them.”

She nodded, still sniffing and wiping her face.

“Good.”

He took her hand and led her back to his bedroom. When they got there, he closed and locked the door, then pulled off his T-shirt. The sight of his bare chest and that big bed was just enough of a distraction to stop her tears. A different kind of happy swept through her as wanting burst to life in all her girl parts.

This, she thought stepping into his embrace. This was how it was going to be for the rest of their lives. And she couldn’t wait to get started on loving every second of it.

  Dagmar had on a caftan in a paisley print. The swirling shades of purple matched the streaks in her hair. Bangles jangled on her wrist and bell-shaped earrings hung from her ears.

Unity studied the other woman, admiring her style, her strength and her ability to accept what life had to offer. She wasn’t there yet, but she was getting closer.

“You’ve been in hiding, little one,” Dagmar said without judgment. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you, too. I’m sorry to have disappeared but I needed time to think and plan.”

Dagmar poured them each tea, then offered a plate of scones. There was a bowl of clotted cream and several types of jam on the tray in front of them.

“You know I rented office space,” she said.

“Yes, Howard does love to gossip. I also know you’ve hired two men to work for you and from what I hear, they are both very nice-looking. The ladies of Silver Pines will be so pleased.”

Unity grinned. “I hired them for their skills, not their looks.”

“Two birds and all that. What else?”

“I’m selling the house.”

Dagmar’s eyebrows rose. “That is a surprise. Are you sure?”

“It’s not a comfortable decision, but it’s the right one for me. It’s time. I can’t live with his ghost anymore.”

“How does that feel?”

“Hard. Uncomfortable. Necessary. I’ve moved into a little condo I’m renting for a few months. It came furnished, so in a way it’s like living in a hotel, but I think I need that for now. I’ve packed away all the important things like pictures and a few things that belonged to Stuart. Everything else I either sold or donated.”

“I’m very proud of you,” Dagmar said with a smile.

“It was time.” Unity sipped her tea. “I’m seeing a therapist. A good one. She’s helping me through the grief and I’m learning about all the ways I didn’t handle it well the first time around. It’s work and it’s painful, but I’m getting stronger and more grounded. I’m still swimming.”

“Excellent.”

Dagmar talked about what had been happening in Silver Pines. There were several new residents and a few moves into assisted living. Unity listened politely, trying to work up the courage to ask about Thaddeus.

She still thought about him, missed him, wanted him, but she knew she wasn’t ready. She’d put him through so much—she was determined not to see him again until she could offer herself as someone ready to be in a healthy, adult relationship. Assuming he was still interested.

“I admire you for not asking,” Dagmar said unexpectedly. “It would have been my first question.”

Unity didn’t pretend to misunderstand. “I’m not sure I have the right to know and I’m scared the news will be bad.”

“What defines bad news?”

“That he’s in love with someone else.”

“Was he ever in love with you?”

“I don’t know. I doubt it.” But she hoped. Or if not love, then maybe enough interest so that he would give her another chance.

“Thaddeus and I have made a pact to never discuss his love life again,” Dagmar told her. “And I have promised to never get involved with it. I’m sorry to tell you, Unity, he’s cut me off and I don’t know a thing.”