A Second Chance in the Show Me State - Jessie Gussman Page 0,21

matter if he knows how you really feel?”

Emerson put an elbow on the table and rubbed her forehead. “Right now, he thinks I hate him, since I just picked a stupid fight over nothing this morning and acted like an idiot. You’d think I’d be too old to do that. I should have outgrown that years ago.”

“Years ago, you were not like that,” Violet said seriously. “I’m not sure what brought it on today.” She leveled a sharp look at Emerson. “I don’t think living in Switzerland agrees with you.”

Emerson knew it didn’t. It was a beautiful country, and she really did love it. But it wasn’t home.

She didn’t say any of that to her friends though. They were already pushing her to say something to Reid, and she didn’t know what to say. Didn’t know what to do.

“You know, back in high school, I thought you and Reid were perfect together. Even through college, when you guys came home and visited, it always amazed me how you two seem to be equal halves of a whole.” Holly bit her lip and looked down at her glass, gently swirling the ice so it clinked against the sides. “In fact, that was part of the reason I was never with anyone. I never found anyone that I could be like that with. So comfortable and perfect. I didn’t want to settle for something less. I always admired that.” Holly tilted her head and spoke sincerely, and Emerson didn’t doubt her. Although her mouth hung open. She hadn’t realized Holly felt that way.

“You look shocked. Do you know how perfect you two were together?” Daisy asked softly. Tough as steel—Missouri farm girl tough—Daisy had a compassion, and a perfect bedside manner, that befitted a physician.

“I guess I never thought of it.” She hadn’t. It just felt right and perfect, but she’d never stopped to consider how it looked to others. She glanced down at her hand. “Maybe that’s why I never took off my ring. Never even said the word ‘divorce.’ There’s just no one else for me.” It was true. No one had even caught her eye. No one compared. No one felt like they fit her. Not like Reid. Not even close.

“Don’t you think that’s worth working on? Or worth risking something for?” Violet tapped her fingers on the table and took a breath. “I know, if it were me, it’s easy to say this is what I would do. But honestly, if I had that, what you guys had? I would guard it with my life. It’s more valuable than anything. And I can honestly say that, after being single for so long. You don’t find someone who is your perfect partner in every way like Reid is for you. That doesn’t just happen. And when it does, you need to appreciate it.”

Her words were gentle, but they hit Emerson’s heart. She hadn’t thought of it. She kept herself busy, immersing herself in the business, and even now she had a whole briefcase full of work that could be done. When she opened her laptop, there would be even more.

All designed to keep her busy so she would not dwell on what she’d lost.

Had she lost it?

Or had she thrown it away?

“I can see where you guys are right. But, it’s hard to explain, but once you reach a certain point, to be the one to make that first move...there’s so much water under the bridge that you’re really risking, at least it feels like you’re risking, an awful lot.” She bit her lip, wanting them to understand but not wanting to sound whiny. “What if he rejects me? After the way I treated him, he certainly has that right. I would expect it. Maybe if I could have come and we could have had a friendly conversation or two....”

“It’s not too late. You’re supposed to stay for a month. Have a friendly conversation or two. You can do it. Just build up to it.” Holly, with her can-do attitude and her ceaseless energy, seemed to infuse that into Emerson, and she straightened.

But then she slumped. “I guess I didn’t tell you how we ended. I’m booking a flight out of here as soon as possible.”

All three of the triplets stared at her in horrified shock.

“You mean you’re not staying for a month?” Violet asked.

“No. I haven’t looked at flights, but I said I was getting the first flight out.” Or something like that. She couldn’t remember. She’d been