Page 51 of The Second Dance

“No. She stands beside me when things go to shit. You’re behind my troubles. But I won’t make that mistake again. I’m done.”

“You’re not done because I have more to say.” I know it’s kind of an asshole thing to say to her, but I can’t let her leave.

I want to say that I’ve been waiting for her all these years.

That I’m not perfect, but that I want her with every fiber of my being.

As the thoughts tumble through my head, I’m laid flat by the realization.

I love her.

I’ve always loved her.

And she is looking at me with betrayal in her eyes. She shakes her head. “Good luck with everything, Bo. Don’t call me.”

And with that, Andy Reed climbs into her car and tears out of my life.

28.

Andy

I’m meeting Heather at her new favorite sushi restaurant.

I almost don’t recognize her sitting by the aquarium.

She’s had a glow up.

Or a glow down?

She wears less makeup. Her hair is smooth instead of frozen in big, hair sprayed waves. She’s wearing a shirt dress and tall boots that show off a nice stretch of toned leg.

She looks effortlessly beautiful and years younger.

When she spots me, she holds up her martini with a beautiful smile.

I sit across from her, wishing I had the energy to dress up. Wishing I had that glow.

I feel like a human rain cloud.

“Andy. How are you, my dear?”

“I’m fine. You look great.”

“Thanks.” She watches a server set a matching martini in front of me. “I took one sip and had to order one for you, too.”

It’s only noon. Maybe a bit early for drinking, but it’s going to be one of those days. I take a sip, letting tequila and mango roll over my tongue.

“What’s wrong?” Heather asks, tipping her head.

Might as well rip off the band-aid. “I’m going to be passing off your account.”

“What? Why?”

I shake my head, offering her a weak smile. “It’s just time for me to move on.”

“We’ve worked so well together, haven’t we?”

“Yes. You’ve been great. And this donation, Heather… words can’t express how much it means to the Songbird Foundation.”