Chapter 21 Two Years Later #3
“Yup. They’d met at Enzo’s wedding, but apparently they’ve been talking on ‘the Facebook’”. I snorted as I did the quotation marks with my hands.
“Oh. My. Goodness. Katerina and Leonardo. Hmm, well, it makes sense. I love the idea of them opening their hearts again to love.”
When I got quiet, she made me look at her, pulling my arm so I faced her on the lounger. “What’s going through that pretty little head of yours? You getting mad about putting off our business idea?”
“No, absolutely not. Not at all. But it’s got me thinking. Seeing Mama so happy, I don’t know? I’ve been evaluating things, I guess.”
“Ah, I see. It’s Miles, isn’t it?”
“There’s no use in denying it. Yes, like you saw, I’ve been writing him letters since I left.”
“That’s a lot of letters. What are they about?”
I smiled and tilted my head. “The same as when we were together. Anything and everything. Asking about his life. Telling him about mine. Ren, I think I made a mistake.”
When she saw the tears filling my eyes, she sat up. “Hey. Talk to me.”
“I love him. I’ve tried not to, but I’m still so very much in love with him. Work keeps me busy, and between making new friends at work, dating here and there, I do have a full life. I should be happier.”
“But something is missing.” My brother’s deep voice startled us both. He slowly walked toward us and sat down on the open chair facing us.
“I know what you’re going to say, Enzo. I’m too young. Too inexperienced,” I said, wiping my tears.
“I thought I’d proved to you since you’ve been back that I’m different, or at least I’m trying to be,” he said, leaning his elbows on his knees.
“You have, I’m sorry. You definitely have gotten better. But what exactly are you saying?”
“I’m saying that falling in love with Corinna, making a life with her, having Ruby. I want that for you, too. My observant wife doesn’t miss a thing. She’s been telling me since you got back that something happened over there. Looks like she was right.”
Ren stood up and said, “I’m going to let you guys talk.” I squeezed her hand when she passed by me and smiled.
“Yes, it did. We spent time together. We talked and laughed so much when we were together. And MJ. I can see why having Ruby has made you so happy. She’s amazing. So smart. It broke my heart to leave her. To leave both of them.” It felt good to be honest with him, so I held nothing back.
“I fell in love with him. It was so easy to, Enzo. He’s such a wonderful man. In every possible way. And yes, he’s older and has an ex-wife, but MJ told me in her letters that Katy is making her a priority, so I’m happy that part has worked out.”
“I see. And Miles and Katy?” he asked.
“Miles told me there was nothing there. Besides, Katy still lives in Texas, according to MJ. The night I found out about the job here, I’m pretty sure he was going to tell me how he felt about me.
And MJ mentioned in her last letter a few weeks ago that he was single.
” I smiled at the thought of her playing matchmaker.
“So, you think he was in love with you? Still in love with you?”
My heart raced at the possibility. “I don’t know. We didn’t keep in touch. I think we both knew it would be too hard. He also has MJ to think about. It’s complicated. But, yes, I think there’s a possibility he’d fallen in love with me.”
He was quiet for a few minutes. The wildflowers that grew around his yard filled the air with a sweet perfume.
“Did you like it in San Diego?”
I chuckled to myself at his short questions and answers. Enzo was in protector mode again, but he was trying hard to be my brother and not my father.
“I loved it. It reminded me of home in some ways. But, yeah, I did. I could see myself living there again.”
He took in a deep breath and took my hand. “Then I think you know what you have to do.”
My eyebrows furrowed as I looked at his stoic face. “What do you mean?”
“I think you need to go back and find out. You owe it to yourself to know for sure.”
“Know what?” I said, my voice shaking.
“Whether he was the love of your life and if there’s still something there.
You were brave to walk away from what you felt was true love.
You’ve accomplished more in these last two years than I ever thought you could.
Not sure why I’m surprised,” he said with a chuckle.
“You’ve grown, Vicky. Go. Go back and see if there’s something there worth pursuing.
Not going to lie. I wish it were him pursuing you, but Corinna reminded me of something. ”
“What’s that?” I asked, tears flowing freely.
“If it were just Ruby and me, I’d put her first, too.
But besides being a great father, Corinna believes Miles is in love with you, and it’s why he let you go.
A selfish man would have asked you to stay.
He’s proven how he loves MJ. And if she’s right, he’s proven how much he loves you, too.
You told me once that the Bible says love is sacrificial.
He sacrificed what he felt for you so you could follow your dreams. So, go back and see if you can make him a part of those dreams.”
“Oh, Enzo,” I sobbed, lunging for him. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“This stays between us, though. Got a reputation to keep. And if you put up another post about me needing a hug, I will shave your eyebrows in your sleep,” he warned, making me laugh and cry at the same time.
The next morning, I told Mama everything. She said she knew something had happened but was waiting for me to open up about it. She and Enzo had kept their promise not to overtake my life, and I appreciated it.
“Vicky, I don’t believe in coincidences. Miles may have come into your life for a season or for a lifetime. There’s only one way to find out. God will let you know. Either way, I’m happy you’ve experienced love. It’s the most wonderful feeling in the world.”
So, with shaky hands, I sent a text that could possibly change my life.
Me: Good morning, Elena. I think we need to talk.