I nodded.
“Why didn’t you invite her to the wedding?” he asked.
“It’s…complicated. She works for Finn,” I said.
“Oh, is she a nurse?”
“Yes. And Finn doesn’t know how involved we are,” I stated.
“It doesn’t sound like her sense of humor is the only thing you like about her.”
I love everything about her.“She’s like no one I’ve ever met before.”
“I want to hear all about her, but your mother will be wondering what we’re talking about and before you know it, she’ll join us with a bunch of questions. Right now, I only have one,” he said.
“What is that?”
“Do you love her?” he asked.
That was the question I’d been asking myself since I met her. I knew my answer, but never said the words out loud. Now I was about to admit it to someone else. “Yes, I do.”
“Then I want you to think about what you want in life.”
“I’ve always known what I want,” I responded.
“You did, but love has a way of changing what we thought we wanted to what we need. I cannot tell what that is, only you can. Now I’ll leave you, so you can finish your conversation,” and he walked back to join the group.
This unexpected depth from my father told me I had a lot more thinking to do. I still wanted my dream, but would it be the thing that kept me from being with Kyleigh? Did I really want it as much as I wanted her?
Fuck. Even if I give it all up, what’s to say that she wants me too?
I sent her another text. I MISS YOU.
She didn’t respond. I knew that would push her in a direction she didn’t want to go. She has closed the door on her heart, but I hope I have the key to open it again.
Mother was right. I needed to get back home, but not for the reason she thought. I needed a place where I could think clearly. I needed to decide where my future lay. And somehow, I had to get Kyleigh to agree to see me again, so we could talk it all out.
I put my phone in my pocket, knowing this wasn’t the end for us. I just needed to find our new beginning.