Page 262 of The Havenport Collection

Eliza

I was not in the mood. Not at all. But my friends were so excited, and I couldn’t say no to them. It had started with Gina. She had sent some messages on our group text chain about a special surprise for game night this week.

Then things started to snowball. Everyone was acting very suspicious, and I was completely in the dark. What were they doing? I didn’t want to assume it had anything to do with me—I wasn’t that egotistical—but I couldn’t help but feel a bit left out.

Everyone had been walking on eggshells around me since my breakup with Matteo. It had been over a month at this point, and I was doing much better. Not over him. Hell, I wasn’t sure I’d ever get over him, especially after meeting him in the park last week.

My brain knew this was for the best. But my heart ached for what I had lost. And that wasn’t going away anytime soon.

“Hurry up,” Gina yelled through the bathroom door as I was brushing my hair. “It’s already six thirty.”

Huh. I smiled. It felt nice to be getting ready to relax with my friends at this time instead of gearing up for another crazy night in the ER. Keeping normal human hours was clearly agreeing with me. I was exercising more, my skin was clearer, and I had a lot more energy.

Working at the clinic was changing me. I no longer dreaded work but instead looked forward to it.

Maggie Leary had taken me under her wing, showing me the ropes and teaching me so much about community medicine.

I felt inspired at work, and that carried over to home as well.

After a couple of weeks of wallowing, I had finally gotten back into my routine.

Self-care was critical for everyone, but especially to manage my ADHD.

I put on some lip gloss and pulled my hair back.

My heart may have been broken, but the rest of me was thriving. And that would have to be good enough.

We pulled up to the twins’ house, and I heard music coming from the backyard. Gina grabbed several bags from the backseat and gestured for me to go inside. We walked through the house into the small yard where my friends were mixing drinks and dancing.

“What is this?” I looked around and saw the backyard had been transformed. String lights were hung from the trees, and chairs and cushions were arranged in front of a large projection screen with the words, “Congrats Eliza.”

Meadow and Juniper headed over and hugged me. “We are celebrating you, girl. You got out that terrible situation at the hospital and landed your dream job!”

“What is the screen for?”

Meadow laughed. “That’s for the movie. First, let’s get some food and then we’re doing an outdoor movie night. Watching Point Break . You know I love Keanu.”

My heart skipped a beat. Yes, everyone knew I loved Point Break , but it made me immediately think of Matteo. Watching together, cracking jokes, and making random references to the movie. It was moments like this I missed him the most.

The kitchen was overflowing with food, and I was so distracted by thoughts of Matteo I failed to notice the takeout containers from his restaurant sitting on the counter.

“What is this?” I asked suspiciously, pointing to a pastry box tied up with twine.

Gina shrugged. I carefully opened it, and inside were dozens of mini cannoli, chocolate dipped with pistachios—my favorite combination. There was a small white envelope sitting on top, with my name written on it in a messy scrawl I immediately recognized.

My friends didn’t even try to hide their stares as I opened it.

Eliza,

Congrats on one month at your new job. You are an incredible person and an even better nurse. They are lucky to have you. Enjoy these sweet treats. Valentina suggested I make them for you.

We miss you,

Matteo

I put the note down and tried to blink away the tears I felt welling up in my eyes. The room was silent as I looked up at my friends staring back at me, unsure of what to say. Thankfully, Sylvie broke the ice.

“Wine?” she asked.

“God, yes,” I replied and everyone laughed.

After too much food, the movie, and a group cleanup effort, Gina and I drove home.

“It was his idea, you know. He’s really proud of you.”

I nodded, unsure of what to say. Of course it was his idea.

I didn’t know whether to be angry or impressed at this point.

He had made it clear that he was reprioritizing his life and wanted to earn my forgiveness.

I appreciated that. It made me happy that he was growing and changing too.

He deserved good things, and so did Val.

I wanted to go see him so badly. To thank him, not just for all the sweet, thoughtful gestures, but for teaching me so much about myself. For helping me realize my own power and giving me the push I needed to make some necessary changes in my life and my mindset.

It was a slippery slope. I wasn’t ready yet. I couldn’t go back to the way things were. But I was only human. And my resistance was wearing thin. And as much as I loved him, I loved myself more.