The Friendship List(112)

“Good. I need to tell you something, if that’s all right.”

His neutral expression turned wary, but he nodded.

She sucked in a breath. “I’ve missed you. A lot. But I knew I needed time to figure out my life. And I guess me. I’ve been seeing a therapist—a good one this time. I’ve sold the house and expanded my business and I’m still swimming.”

She told herself that wasn’t the important part and that she should get to it.

“I shouldn’t have gone out with you before. I wasn’t ready and I acted badly. I took so much from you and gave nothing in return. When I think about how I acted, I’m embarrassed and ashamed. I apologize. I didn’t know how bad things were until it was too late.”

He continued to study her, not saying a word or hinting at what he was thinking.

“I’ve grown. I will always love Stuart, but he’s gone and I’m not willing to wait to die anymore. I want to live my life. I want to get married and have a family. I want to be happy and I want to make someone else happy. I want to be a wife and a mother and be really good at both jobs. I want to offer my heart to a wonderful man who will love me in return.”

Her chest tightened, making it hard to breathe. She was terrified, but she told herself she was strong. Strong enough to do the right thing. “I was hoping that man might be you, Thaddeus.” She waved her hand. “I don’t mean I’m proposing or anything. That would be really scary. I mean maybe, if you’re still willing, we could go out again and see how it goes. And before you tell me what you think about that, I want you to know that I’m in love with you. And, well, I’m hoping you still like me enough to give me another chance.”

She paused, wondering if she should say she would understand if he didn’t want to, but wasn’t sure if that was too much or if she’d said it wrong or—

“What did you have in mind?” he asked.

Hope filled her chest, but she told herself not to read too much into the question. “I need a date to a wedding in three weeks. Between now and then I thought we might get some dinner or something. If you’d be interested.”

He didn’t respond in any way. His dark gaze searched her face, no doubt trying to figure out if she meant it this time or if she was going to go cray-cray on him again.

“About the being in love with me part,” he said. “You’re sure?”

She nodded. “Yes. I’m in love with you, Thaddeus.”

Putting it out there laid her bare. She felt vulnerable and scared and yet stronger than she ever had.

He crossed to her in three long strides, then pulled her close and kissed her. The second his mouth touched her, the fear left. She was back where she belonged and she knew everything was going to be all right.

They clung to each other, holding on as if they were never letting go.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” he told her. “I thought I’d never see you again.”

“I’m sorry for what happened and how I acted.”

He looked at her and smiled. “I know you weren’t doing it on purpose.”

“That doesn’t mean I didn’t torture you.”

“It was worth it.” He kissed her again. “You’re worth it.”

The band around her heart eased. “I want to be with you, Thaddeus. I mean that. Totally and completely. I love you.”

“I love you, too. Believe me, I tried to get over you and I couldn’t. I guess you’re stuck.”

“Lucky me.” She smiled. “So you’ll be my plus-one at the wedding?”

“I will. Want to stay and go out to dinner?”

She nodded and leaned against him. “So what does your afternoon look like?”

“I might be able to clear my calendar. When do you have to go back to Willowbrook?”

She looked at him. “I told the guys I was hoping to be gone through the weekend.”

One eyebrow rose. “It’s Tuesday.”

“Well, I said I was hoping. If that’s too long I can—”

He cut her off with a kiss. “Stay through the weekend. Stay forever.” He frowned. “Dammit, your business is there. I’m going to have to move to that little town, aren’t I? Dagmar will be thrilled.”

He released her and walked to his phone. After pressing a button he said, “I’m going need you to clear my calendar for the rest of the week. Freddy can handle anything urgent.”

With that, he grabbed his suit jacket and took her hand in his. “Ready?”

“Absolutely.”

They walked out together. Unity had no idea what was going to happen next but... Okay, she knew what was going to happen next, but the after that part was less clear. Regardless, she knew that she and Thaddeus would be together and for her, that was all that mattered.

As they waited for the elevator, she pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to Ellen.

It went well. See you on Monday. Then she put her cell back in her bag and stepped into the next chapter of what had turned out to be a very happy life.



epilogue


Six years later...

“Forty looks good on us,” Unity said, her arm linked with Ellen’s as they studied their reflections in the sliding glass door.