Hey, I'm back!
"James," I replied.
He pulled me into a tight hug and I hugged him back as tight as I could. I haven't felt a loving embrace like this in a while.
"Well, come in," he said, ushering me inside.
The inside was like something out of a magazine with the rich décor and colors. He's always had good taste, especially in college. He gave me the tour of the whole house and I decided right there that this was where I would stay. We always said that if neither of us was married or still single, then we would have each other. But after college, Edward happened. I hoped the offer was still standing.
"So, what's been going on?" he asked.
"Nothing much, living life," I replied.
"How is Edward? Where is he?" he finally asked the question I was dreading.
"We broke up," I answered.
"I'm sorry to hear that."
I was sorry too.
"Yeah, I left him. I just needed some space and time to figure things out."
"Where will you go?"
The million dollar question.
"See, that's the reason why I'm here. I was wondering if I could stay here for a while. I know we haven't spoken for some time, and I'm sorry it took this for me to contact you, but you were my first choice," I explained.
"Of course, Bella, take all the time you need," his answer was quick.
"Are you sure?" I wanted to know.
"Definitely," he replied.
~TMWM~
I enjoyed living with James. It was just like in college. We would go out to eat and afterwards go clubbing. The comfort and familiarity was still there and I could tell him anything and he would give the best advice.
"You know, I always thought you and Edward would make it," he said abruptly one night.
I didn't want to think about this now. I had thought about Edward all week and then some. Wondering if I made the right choice, wondering what he was doing or practically who was he with. And then I would remember his last words to me and I would close off my mind. It was a dangerous place.
"So did I," was my reply.
"What happened then, if you don't mind me asking?" he wanted to know.
"He slept with Angela," I said.
There was a pronounced silence.
"Angela, your best friend Angela?" he finally spoke.
"My ex best friend, yeah. And I thought I could forgive and forget because I love him, you know, but then some more details came into focus and love wasn't enough," I told him.
"I understand. My dad cheated on my mom and that was a hard time to get by," he said.
"Really? But you're parents are still together," I was surprised.
"I know but they worked to get there and it wasn't easy," he explained.
"I wish it was easy but I don't think I'll get over this," I said truthfully.
He turned to me. "Bella, you love him and I know he loves you and mistakes are made. But we fix them and try not to make them again."
"That's what I'm afraid of. I'm afraid he'll make a mistake again," I said, letting the fears I've been holding in out.
"My parents taught me something. They taught me love is worth it, love is worth everything, but sometimes the relationship is not," he explained.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I'm saying relationships take work, and sometimes you have to fight for it, but is it worth the fight?" he questioned.
I was thinking about that talk a lot and it made sense. I wanted to be with Edward but I couldn't get past his cheating. It would take some time but it didn't matter. All that mattered was that I was willing to forgive him, willing to fight for what we had left. I just hoped he was willing too.
It ain't hard to tell when it's something real
You can have the world, all you want is them
Even when you're in the crowd and you spot them from a mile
That's when you know love is worth it
When it's going on you never give up
When you're on the phone you never hang up
Even when you're feeling down, they can always make you smile
That's when you know love is worth it