Page 92 of Inevitable

“I thought he counseled pediatric cancer patients.” I frowned, turning it over in my hand.

“He does, but he’s trained to work with adults as well. And if you don’t feel comfortable talking to him, he can always refer you to someone else.”

I pocketed the card. “Thanks, Alexis. For…everything.”

“Absolutely.” She gave me a hug. “And, Wolfe?”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t let anyone stand in the way of your happiness, least of all yourself.”

It sounded a lot like the advice I’d given Sumner. And I could imagine her throwing it back in my face, telling me to stop being a hypocrite. She’d be right. I’d been an ass.

I needed a plan. It was time to overhaul my life. I was going to win Sumner back. I only hoped it wouldn’t be too late.

I took a deep breath and met Alexis’s eyes. “I think I’m going to need your help.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Imade some friends. Immersed myself in classes. I set up my website, sought out clients for my coaching business, and even started working with a few small business owners. It was invigorating, and it helped me forget about my own troubles. About everything and everyone back home.

At least until the invitation for my dad’s surprise forty-fifth birthday celebration arrived. It sat on the counter for a few days before I finally opened it. And even then, I didn’t immediately RSVP. I left it to collect dust, not wanting to return home. Not wanting to see Jonathan when I was finally in a better place.

Then the emails had started arriving. Lea and the party planner, Juliana, sent out the details for the weekend, assuming I’d be there. Because, why wouldn’t I be?

I continued to ignore them, along with the rising feeling of dread that accompanied each new missive. Itineraries, hotel room assignment, dress code suggestions. It almost felt more like a wedding than a birthday celebration.

After a few days of ignoring Lea’s calls and voice mails, I knew I couldn’t put it off anymore.

“Hey, Lea,” I said, answering on the second ring.

“Hey. I wanted to check in about your dad’s birthday celebration. When are you coming home?”

This was exactly why I’d avoided her and this conversation. Because I couldn’t say no. Despite all my talk of boundaries, I knew it was important to her, and she’d always been there for me. Plus, my dad would be devastated if I didn’t show.

“Friday afternoon, though it depends on traffic.”

“Great. I set aside a room for you as part of the block for the guests.”

“I saw,” I said.

“And…don’t kill me, but…” I held my breath, bracing myself for what she was going to say next. “I set you up with a date.

“Thanks, Lea. But I’m really not interested.”

“Psh. Sumner, you’ve been wallowing long enough about this whole Jack thing. It’s time to get back out there.”

“I don’t know,” I hedged, wishing there were some way to get out of this—both the weekend and the date.

“Damien is super cute and a musician. I think you’ll hit it off.”

I rolled my eyes with a smile. She said that to almost everybody she set up on a date. And then it struck me—I’d smiled. And I’d been happy, genuinely so. I’d noticed it happening more and more lately, but it still felt foreign. As if my body didn’t know how to be happy without…him.

“Jonathan will be there,” she said, and there was a tiny prick in my heart. A bursting of that fragile bubble of happiness. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to hear his name or think of him without a tinge of sadness, but I was trying.

“That’s nice,” I said, all but forcing out the words.

“I’m sure he’ll be happy to catch up and hear how grad school is going.”