A bitter laugh escaped my lips. “Derick, I was joking. I just graduated! I still have so much I want to do. Marriage? I’m not ready either.”
He exhaled slowly, his shoulders relaxing, and cupped my face gently with his warm hands.
“Skye, don’t worry. I’ll keep my promises to you.”
I nodded, and we silently agreed to drop the topic.
But I knew. Seven years had passed, and he’d endured it all. Once his little first love returned, he could cast me aside without hesitation.
What can I do, though?
Derick, this time, I’ll leave you first.
We sat together on the couch in silence for a long while, the tension between us hanging heavily in the air.
All of a sudden, his phone rang, breaking the stillness.
Startled, he glanced at the screen, then smiled warmly and walked into his study to answer.
Quietly, I followed and stood outside the door. For the first time in seven years, I heard a woman’s voice on one of Derick’s calls.
“Derick, I’m coming back.”
“Derick, do you blame me for leaving all those years ago?”
“I still love you. Do you still love me?”