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“You know what to do. Fill out the paperwork, turn it in to me tomorrow, and I’ll approve it.”
“Thanks, Lou.”
He placed his hand on my shoulder. “You’re welcome. Do what you have to do. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He smiled as he stood from his seat and walked out of the bar.
I pulled my phone from my pocket and thought about calling Finn and telling him that I’d go to Vegas this weekend. Then I decided that if I went, it wouldn’t be because I wanted to. It would be to try and put Paisley out of my mind. It bothered me that I didn’t know where she was just as much as it bothered me that I didn’t know if she was okay. I didn’t want to spend Christmas without her. I missed her so much that I didn’t think I could feel this way again. I needed her just as much as she needed me. She left for a reason, and when she figured out her life, she’d be back, and I would wait for her for as long as it took.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Paisley
I took my tea and walked down by the crystal blue water. I’d been here almost three weeks and accomplished so much. I kept up with my columns and was on the last chapter of my novel. Writing about my experience and his death was therapeutic, and it helped me to see that life can and does go on. I missed my family, but more importantly, I missed Ben. I finally admitted to myself that I was falling in love with him, a love and companionship that I didn’t think was possible ever again. As I stared out beyond the water, I could finally feel a sense of peace—a different kind of peace that I’d never felt before. I smiled as I sipped my tea and headed back to my cottage. Tomorrow would be the day that I contacted Ben and hoped to God that he still wanted me.
Ben
I started the morning with a run before heading to the station and turning in my papers. Brady wasn’t thrilled that I extended my leave, but he understood. The morning air was crisp, and the sky was a bit overcast. As I ran along the pier, deep in thought about Paisley and listening to my music, I saw David run up next to me out of the corner of my eye. I turned off my iPod and looked at him.
“Hey, David. Where have you been?”
“I’ve been around, here and there.”
“The last time we talked, you kind of seemed like you were mad at me or something,” I said.
“Nah. I wasn’t mad at you, Ben. How are things?”
“You mean between Paisley and me?”
He looked over at me and nodded.
“She left town. She’s been gone for almost three weeks.”
“I see,” he said, deadpan.
“She said she needed to figure out her life and to leave her alone.”
“Have you left her alone?”
“Yeah. That’s what she wanted, and I wasn’t going to bother her.”
“How long is she taking to figure out life?” he asked.
“I don’t know, but I’ll wait for her as long as it takes.”
“Do you love her, Ben?” he asked as he stopped running and looked at me.
“Yes.”
“Then that’s all you need. Don’t wait for her. Go get her. Tell her you love her and bring her home. Isn’t life about getting what you want and fighting for what you want? Please don’t sit back and wait for her to figure it out. Figure it out with her—life’s too short, man. You, of all people, know that. If you love her like you say you do, then fight to be with her.”
I stood there and stared at him. There was something about his words that suddenly sparked a fire inside me. He looked down at my hand and smiled.
“You should take that ring off before you go and get her.”
I looked at my wedding band and then at him. “Thanks, David. I know what I have to do.”
He smiled and turned the opposite way. “I’ll see you around, Ben. Good luck.”
I turned on my iPod and finished my run. When I returned home and jumped in the shower, I couldn’t stop thinking about Paisley and how I had to find her. I needed to tell her I loved and wanted to be with her.