Page 91 of Student Seduction

I’d let it go when I should’ve embraced it and held on. But he wouldn’t have asked me to give up art school and I couldn’t ask him not to play professional hockey. We loved each other too much to ask the other person to sacrifice their dream. But part of me wished we’d tried the long-distance thing. Tried to visit more, tried harder to keep in touch. I reminded myself once more that it didn’t matter now and that wallowing in regret was not productive. It was too late.

At the end of her life, my mom had been determined not to dwell on her regrets and I was going to do the same.

“I was rooting for you two crazy kids,” Drew admitted. “But mostly, I just want you to be happy. I always thought maybe you’d find your way back to each other one day. But if he’s not your happily ever after, it’s his loss.”

I tried to smile at the sweet sentiment. “Thanks. I appreciate that. I don’t know if happily ever after is a realistic option for me.” Content ever after seemed like the best I could hope for.

Drew’s eyes turned sad. “Look at your mom and Kat. Your dad and Deb. Look at me and James. It’s real and it will be for you too when you’re ready.”

“I love you, Drewskie,” I said, feeling drained as I curled around the pillow onto my side. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, sweetheart. I love you too.”

With that, he turned off the light. I laid there in the darkness picturing Aiden’s wedding with his mystery bride.

And just before I fell asleep, I saw her face.

But it wasn’t a stranger he was marrying.

It was me.