whom I had at one point been so sure I was meant to marry, was only going to be a distant acquaintance from now on.
Strange to think that you could share so many memories—some bad, but still a lot of good—with a person, and be so entangled in their life for a few years, only to go on to lead separate lives where you only bumped into each other on occasion at the grocery store, said a brief hello and goodbye as your memories passed through your mind, and then moved on with your day and not think about each other again until a couple of years later when you happened to need bread at the same time.
It was sad in some ways. But also comforting to know that that was just the way life was for everyone. Relationships came and went, but the memories you made could last forever.
And I hoped as time went on, I would only remember the good memories I’d made with Chad.
“Think I could get one last hug for old time’s sake?” I asked before leaving since it just felt like the right thing to do.
“Sure.” He stood straighter and stepped closer, holding his arms out for me.
So I gave him a brief hug.
There were no butterflies this time. No sense of belonging in his arms anymore.
But it wasn’t a bad hug, either.
I pulled away and tucked some hair behind my ear. “Good luck with your life, Chad.” I looked up at him, memorizing his face one more time. “I wish only good things for you and your future.”
“Thank you.” Chad nodded solemnly, and when he met my gaze this time, there was a finality in his expression that said he understood that this really was the last time we’d ever talk like this. “I hope you and Cole will be very happy together.”
“You do?” I asked, not quite sure I could believe that.
But he lifted his shoulders and said, “I think I always knew deep down that you and Cole would end up together.”
“Really?” I asked, not believing he was admitting that.
“It was obvious to anyone who saw you two together.” He sighed. “Did it irritate me to no end? Of course.” He shrugged. “But it is what it is, I guess.”
“I guess it is.”
He pressed his lips together, looking like he had something more to say. And after a moment, he met my gaze with solemn eyes and said, “I, um, I’m sorry for cheating on you.” He ran a hand through his hair, looking more uncomfortable than I’d ever seen him. “And I know it’s probably not much of a consolation, but I just want you to know that while I did kiss Amber on that trip, I left her room before things went farther. And I—“ He sighed and looked to the side like he was gathering his thoughts. “I just thought you should know that I really did care a lot about you even though I screwed up a lot.”
It took me a moment to find my voice, because I had not been prepared for his confession. But then I said, “Thanks for telling me that. I guess it’s good to know everything hadn’t been completely meaningless to you.”
He shook his head, and the sorrow in his eyes had me feeling more sorry for him than I ever expected to feel. “I obviously have a lot of things to work on still.”
We stood there for a few seconds longer, just taking one another in for a moment. And then with my hand on the doorknob, I said, “I really do wish you all the best in the future, Chad.” Unable to resist, I added, “And that someday you’ll find a woman who will steal your heart enough to make you want to graduate from relationship community college and head off to Yale.”
His eyes widened momentarily, like he wasn’t quite sure how to take it. But then his expression lit up a little and a half-smile formed on his lips. “So that’s going to be our little inside joke now?”
I shrugged and returned his smile, so he would know I was trying to end this on a playful note instead of a serious one. “What can I say? It’s a great metaphor.”
“You’re hilarious, Arianna.” He slipped his arm around my shoulder and gave me a quick squeeze. “Maybe we should have tried being friends a long time ago.”
“Maybe we should have.”
39
Cole
I was just draining the last of the water from my