Page 117 of The Singles Club

I turned my head, finally having the courage to look into his eyes, but his gaze was focused on the ground. “I know why she did it, but it wasn’t her place to tell you. It was mine to tell you when I was ready.”

“I’m sorry for what happened with your wife,” I whispered through the tightness in my throat.

“Me too.” He breathed heavily through his nose before continuing. “Remember our pretend date when I told you I had my own theory on love, but I wouldn’t tell you what it was?”

“Yes.”

“Do you want to hear it now?”

“Okay.”

He held his steepled fingers over his mouth for a moment before he spoke. “I loved Anna very much, and I had no doubt in her love for me. We were young and had so many plans. We wanted a family. We designed a home. We talked about schools and vacations and traditions we’d start…” A fist went to his mouth as I watched a tear spill from the corner of his eye.

I tried so hard not to cry, but the overwhelming desire to hold this man and take away his pain was more than I could bear. I quickly wiped away the wetness from my cheeks, hoping he wouldn’t see. This was about him now. Not me.

“I felt like the luckiest man on earth, and I swore I’d never take it for granted. And I didn’t. Not once.” He paused, rubbing at his eyes. “I’m not going to get into what I went through that first year after her death. That’s not why I am here. Brock finally did convince me to start dating again… nothing serious, just to get a feel for it again. But me being the sentimental type, I must’ve watchedSleepless in Seattleabout fifty damn times before I finally caved and went out on my first date. I hoped that maybe a love like that could happen twice.” He huffed out a soft laugh. “But then my dates were one big disaster after the other. I gave up. I came up with a theory that perhaps true love doesn’t happen twice… and my chance had already come and gone. I believed that for close to two years… until I met you.”

I turned my head, and his eyes met mine. They were red, but there was a warmth in them that made me want to reach out and stroke the side of his face.

I tucked my hands between my thighs and looked away. “Justin, I—”

“Please, just hear me out. I’m not asking for promises or for you to give me what you can’t, alright?”

I nodded.

“Vivian, you got me dating again. You gave me hope that maybe my theory was wrong. Enough hope to give it one more try.”

A last chance for love.

“And whether either one of us was ready for it or not,” he continued, “we fell in love.” He pressed a fist against his chest. “I didn’t think I’d be able to feel this again for anyone… And for that alone, I want to thank you.” He reached for my hand, and I intertwined my fingers with his.

He smiled my way, so many emotions swimming in those eyes of his. “As much as I wish things could be different, I’ve come to accept that maybe it just wasn’t the right time for us. And that’s okay.” He smiled. “Or maybe we just came into each other’s lives to fuck up our damned theories on love.”

I laughed, swiping the tears streaming down my cheeks. “We certainly did that.”

He squeezed my hand. “We did.” He leaned forward and kissed my forehead, then gently tucked my mess of curls behind my ear. “Whatever it is you’re searching for, Vivian, I really and truly hope you find it. But please, don’t give up on love.”

“I won’t. I promise. And you won’t either.”

“Never.” He slipped his hand from mine, reached into his coat pocket, and pulled out an envelope. He held it out to me.

I took it. “What’s this?”

“Your last coaching session.” He pushed himself up off the stoop. “You have a safe trip tomorrow, and don’t ever feel shy about reaching out. Say hello once in a while.”

“I will.” I wrapped my arms around him for a hug. Arealhug. I’d almost forgotten how good it felt to be this close to him.

His hand traced down my arm as we released from our embrace. “Goodnight, Vivian.”

“Goodnight.”

Our hands met briefly before finally separating for good. I watched as he went back to his car. I waved goodbye to Max, and he nodded, a sad smile across his mouth. Justin didn’t look my way once but, instead, kept his face forward. I swear I saw his head dip as they drove away.

I plopped back down on the stoop, letting the tears fall freely. I wiped away the few that dropped on the envelope.

The door opened behind me, and Crystal and Isabella sat down beside me.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Crystal rubbed my back.