CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE CHRIS
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Chris
January 2025
I look at the engagement ring as it sparkles on Victoria’s finger. She looks the happiest she’s been since I’ve known her. That should tell me everything, shouldn’t it? This isn’t a mistake. None of this is a mistake. Her happiness means so much.
My happiness means a lot to me too, and I haven’t overlooked that. I am happy. It was strange at first, the way this all happened. A chance encounter that I didn’t know would have such an ending. But I am genuinely overjoyed.
‘Are you OK?’ Victoria asks me.
‘I’m perfect,’ I reply.
‘Honestly?’ she asks, with meaning in her eyes – I forget how kind she is, how thoughtful, checking on me when all the attention should be on her.
‘Honestly,’ I say. ‘I couldn’t be happier. Any ideas about a date?’ I ask tentatively, so I can get more used to the idea of what’s going to happen.
‘September maybe? I don’t want to wait too long. Are you OK with that?’
I chuckle. ‘Victoria, you need to stop asking if I’m OK. I need you to enjoy this. Whatever you want is fine by me. I cannot stress this enough.’
She smiles, kisses me on the cheek and pulls me into an embrace. ‘I knew you were a good one,’ she replies, before moving off to rifle around in her bag for her diary.
I take the opportunity to glance at my phone. Max posted pictures of his wedding on Instagram. I feel kind of bad for not going, although I did RSVP a polite and regretful no. On reflection, it was too much to fit in around everything that was going on here, plus Christmas. But seeing the pictures of Max and his new wife, and a smiling Lexie talking with a guy at the bar (I zoomed in), has made me antsy. I have no right to be. But the feeling is there all the same.
If I’d gone, I’d have seen Lexie, spoken to her, been near her. I’m kicking myself that I didn’t go. Being near her would have been enough. I think. It would have had to be enough. I’ve looked at this picture a hundred times over the past week and I’m sure I’ll look at it a hundred more.
What might have been.