When Worlds Collide
V alentina arrived in San Diego the next day, Sunday. We’d had a girls’ day planned for quite some time. And it couldn’t have come at a better moment because Julian had just popped the question.
The sleek lines of her Porsche glinted in the afternoon sun, a stark contrast to the weathered Subaru she used to drive. As she stepped out, her confidence radiated, and I couldn’t help but admire how far she’d come after leaving the modeling industry. Her brand now had a couple of stores scattered throughout LA, one in Silver Lake with an artsy, eclectic feel, while the newer one in West Hollywood showcased a sleek, modern design. But what really grew fast was her online store, which quickly gained traction thanks to her savvy social media strategy.
She immediately adored the engagement ring, but I could still feel her underlying skepticism about marriage itself. It was a vibe that even her most convincing facade couldn’t conceal.
“You don’t have to pretend to believe in the whole marriage thing,” I pointed out with a grin. “Just keep quiet when they ask if anyone has objections at the wedding.” I nudged her playfully.
“No way Lucie, you and Julian are a great match. Trust me, I’ll be the one sobbing the most. Damn, you’re getting married!”
My Puerto Rican best friend was as wild as they come—a stunning tall brunette with a wiry yet strong frame since the gym was her second permanent address. Early mornings and late nights blurred into a routine that fueled her passion for fitness. She chose to wear her rich, sun-kissed hair loose, went for a natural look without makeup, yet still radiated supermodel beauty. Because of that, boys lined up like an assembly line, eager to offer anything just for a chance to win her attention. But no one ever got close enough to earn more than a casual label. It often made me wonder if she even believed in monogamy at all. And it was even more complicated than that, because she liked to date girls too. Monogamy for her meant that she’d have to give up an entire gender.
“I am thrilled to design the bridesmaid dresses, Lucie.” She mused. “Do you want to go with something edgy? Or are you thinking classic beauty? I think you and Julian are rebellious spirits enough to consider the first option. Yet, he loves his tuxedos. A Twilight style wedding would fit you two the best I think.”
“Are you talking about the part with all the werewolf haters, or the wardrobe choices?” I chuckled. We’d at one point succumbed to the guilty pleasure of paranormal romance, like most girls in our teenage years.
“Both,” she flipped her hair dramatically. “I am however particularly focused on the wardrobe part.”
I’d expected her to be happy to become the designer for my special day. “Well, that just means you’re officially part of the wedding dress crew. Unless the thought makes you vomit, obviously.”
She pulled a goofy face, sticking her tongue out. “I’m not that cynical, am I?”
I made a doubtful expression. “Has anyone recently gotten your interest? For longer than a few weeks?” I raised my eyebrow. I felt like I already knew the answer. “I am thinking your new cat.” I deadpanned. Val had adopted a rescue to feel less lonely in her studio apartment.
She scratched her head. “Actually…”
It sounded promising. “I’m all ears, Val. By the way, can I make you a cappuccino?” I offered, knowing it was too early for a margarita, her absolute staple.
“Yes, please.”
I moved toward the espresso machine, determined to craft the perfect cappuccino, just like a professional barista. As I steamed the milk, I glanced back at her. She looked like she had something on her mind, something that made her nervous.
“Everything okay?” I asked, noticing the sudden shift in her energy. She cleared her throat as I handed her a mug, doctored to her usual specifications.
“I’ve been messaging with Bradley for a few months now. At first, it started as just a few exchanges, mostly about you.” She turned crimson, glancing down as if the floor might swallow her up.
Then, it hit me—a sudden eureka moment. How had I not seen it before? The two of them had always shared a genuine connection. “He reached out a few times just to see how I was. I am definitely digging his humor and street smarts.” She spoke slowly, then bit her lip in hesitation. “We’re only friends now, but he’s invited me to come visit him in Kauai. So, I am wondering if there could be more in the end.”
“Are you going to go?” I gave her a serious look. “You won’t know until you two spend time in person, right?”
“There’s just one problem.” She frowned.
I immediately assumed she was referring to our past history. “If this has something to do with what happened between us, Val, you don’t have to worry about it. We have a mutual understanding—both of us had someone we couldn’t let go of at the time. We kissed only once, and it was…” I meant to say meaningless , but it wasn’t entirely true. There was no real reason for us to stop seeing each other except for Julian’s return. Julian had broken up with me to keep me out of trouble, and I’d thought he’d cheated. In that moment, I’d tried to move on, and had gotten closer to Bradley. It wasn’t a mistake, but it was a connection that couldn’t continue once I realized how much Julian had sacrificed—and how madly I still loved him.
Val looked tortured. “Well, the girl he mentioned—the ex-wife he went to see—she took her own life just before he got home last Christmas.” Her face turned somber, the weight of the words settling between us.
My heart dropped into my stomach at the realization that he’d kept this a secret. I’d thought Bradley needed space, but he had been dealing with an immense loss instead. “Shit, I had no idea.” I felt unbearably selfish now for not being there for him when he probably needed me most. “Since December, I didn’t want to confuse him, so I’ve stayed away. We’ve only spoken once, and he didn’t even mention it.” In fact, he might have lied to avoid worrying me.
“Yeah, Lucie. I think he gets it. I don’t think he’s the type to hold anything against you,” she quickly assured me.
“What exactly happened?” I asked, feeling my mood sink in a way I didn’t think was possible, especially now that I was newly engaged to the love of my life.
“She was a tattoo artist. Apparently renowned in Hawaii. She struggled with depression and maybe fell into an addiction or two. She ended it before he could even see her again—days before he returned home. That’s the part that sucks the most.”
I let out a sigh. He had always painted their relationship as entirely his fault, but it seemed his ex-wife wasn’t blameless either. While he had worked on himself, she appeared to be trapped in the same patterns that had led to their divorce. Bradley had often mentioned that he tended to love the wrong people, and now it all clicked into place.
I began to feel an all-consuming pain for him. Was this why he’d moved to an isolated island? To put himself in purgatory for not showing up sooner? I didn’t believe we could save someone who wanted to die. Maybe we could delay it for a while, but only professional help could truly make a difference. He needed to know it wasn’t his fault, but would it even matter? Grief was grief.
“I’ve been trying not to be too much,” Val shrugged. “So, we just talk through messages. But the deeper we get into our conversations, the more I realize I’m a bit hung up on him.”
I completely understood what she meant.
“I don’t know if this makes sense, Lucie. It almost feels like the tables have turned. He’s looking for a good time with me. Nothing with commitment. Yet, I don’t know if, with him, it’s going to be that easy to stick to it.”
Shell-shocked didn’t even begin to cover it. She never spoke like this.
Bradley was someone, though, who could effortlessly inspire a change of heart. He was mixed race, with striking Asian features inherited from his mother—sharp, handsome eyes that sparkled with kindness. He had a strong, chiseled jaw inherited from his father, and his deep voice, combined with his undeniable masculinity, turned heads wherever he went. He usually kept his black hair short, styled in a military cut, though he’d recently mentioned that he preferred to keep it longer.
As Hawaii’s past marathon champion, he had a lean, athletic physique quite impossible to achieve without incredible genes. Like Valentina pointed out, he was street-smart, having grown up as a troubled teenager who often found himself in risky situations. When we talked about it during a drive, I learned that he had a bad-boy side he’d left behind—a part of his past that added depth to his character. It was intriguing to see how he had transformed, channeling those experiences into something positive. What made him even more attractive was his deep love for his home, his family, and the legacy of his island. He had attended Kamehameha, a prestigious school reserved for those with true Hawaiian heritage. Bradley possessed the rare heart of a warrior and protector, marked by unwavering loyalty. Essentially, he was the perfect boyfriend.
“Give it time,” I tried to offer something encouraging. But I knew Bradley well enough to know that what happened with his ex-wife had to weigh on him like a demon.
“He mentioned that he isn’t looking for love right now.” She shared. “But I don’t think it means he wouldn’t hook up with me.”
She’d built quite a reputation for herself as the girl who never wanted more than just a casual fling. Now, that wasn’t working in her favor. Bradley likely thought they were both on the same page. Given the kind of guy he was, he wouldn’t want to hurt a woman, so this arrangement was probably convenient for him. But I kept my mouth shut, hoping that it wasn’t so for Valentina’s sake.
“I met Julian at a time when I wasn’t ready to date either,” I reminded her.
“It feels like he’s in a dark place and I want to respect that,” she explained.
I didn’t doubt that he was in a dark place, and the worst part was that I worried I contributed to the reasons why. I’d led him on for quite some time, only to decide in the end that I wasn’t ready to fall in love again. What we had between us was incredibly real, a fact that still somewhat haunted me.
To make matters worse, deep down, I knew Bradley never believed my relationship with Julian would last. While he understood my reasons for being with him, he couldn’t bring himself to support it. His silence felt like more than just respect for my choices; it felt like a statement. I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was waiting for me to learn my lesson. The thought of Valentina finding herself in the middle of such a mess was something I couldn’t bear.
“Val, why don’t you take it one step at a time? Trust that the universe will deliver exactly what you need,” I suggested cautiously.
“Yeah, Lucie. I hate the idea that he could be exactly what I need right now—someone so different that he pulls me out of my head. But I think about him ALL the time, and it’s driving me insane.” A pained look marred her gorgeous face.
“Have you thought about telling him that you’re not looking for just a fling?” Honesty was usually the best policy in relationships.
“No, I’m worried he’ll lose interest, and I really don’t want that,” she winced. “But for now, let’s check out some catalogs, okay? It would make me so happy to sort through designs and start sketching.” She quickly shifted the topic. “I’m thinking something sleek, but with a bit of drama—maybe a high-low hemline or some intricate lace detail. Something unexpected that will make a statement without being over the top.” She spoke with the kind of passion and confidence I’d expect from a seasoned designer.
It felt a bit early to dive into wedding planning after such a deep conversation, but I didn’t want to dampen her excitement. “Yeah, of course. I’ve got the whole morning reserved for us. Let me make you another cappuccino.”
Not talking about Bradley was probably for the best for both of us. His name had a way of pulling us both into uncomfortable spaces, bringing up old wounds and unspoken feelings. We both needed a break from the weight of that conversation, especially now. With everything else going on, it felt better to focus on something light, something we could enjoy without the emotional baggage. It was easier to let the silence settle than to stir up what might come rushing back.
I wasn’t entirely sure what it meant for me—perhaps a blend of quiet acceptance that he’d always be my second choice, and a lingering grief knowing that our friendship would always be overshadowed by the unspoken truth that there was more between us than either of us could ever fully acknowledge.