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meeting.”
    “Oh…well that was sweet of him.  He really seems to be trying,” she replied sympathetically, knowing to tread lightly when it came to this subject matter.  “I have a feeling you two will work it out.  Watch.”
    Her optimism is usually infectious, but not this time.   Her turmoil with her own father only solidified my belief that not all parental relationships were salvageable.  
    “Yeah… maybe,” was my only response.
    “Well, listen, I’ve gotta go hard in the paint to get this article on Sherry’s desk, but I’m gonna call and check in on you as soon as I take lunch, k?”
    I smiled a little and reared back in my seat again, no dding like she could see me.  “Okay.”
    “I lo ve you, Anthony Hahn, my fiancé.”
    I chuckled at the corny statement and so did she.  “I love you, too.”
    We ended the call and I expected for my thoughts to be on Kira now, but that wasn’t the case.  Almost instantly, I revisited the same images of Sam that prompted me to call Kira as a distraction in the first place.  The one of us waking up side by side in her bed was now stuck in my mind and I sighed heavily , realizing that I could still feel her skin against my hands and smell her sweet scent lingering in the air. 
    Terrell’s plea came back to mind, but I quickly dismissed it.  There was no way in hell I’d call her – not after all this time, not even to ‘clear the air’ , or whatever he said.  One thing I’d learned over the years is that Sam and I are better off left in the past.  She clearly felt the same way seeing as how our current arrangement was all her doing.
    We were living proof that no matter how strong your feelings are for a person, that doesn’t always mean that you’re meant to be.  She and I simply weren’t written in the stars and I was glad that I was finally able to accept that.

    C hapte r T hree
    Sam
    Twice, I double-checked the side pocket of my purse for my and Jason’s plane tickets.  Granted, Boston was less than a three hour drive away, but neither of us felt like spending a better part of our morning driving.  A thirty-five minute plane ride sounded much more appealing. 
    Maisha had everything all planned out.  At noon, the entire bridal party was due to meet in a small banquet room of the hotel she’d booked for us.  There’d be a meet and greet there with light refreshments, and then we needed to head over to the church for rehearsal.  The wedding w ould take place the next evening at 5:00 pm, followed by the reception.  Sunday morning would be a quaint farewell breakfast at her and Terrell’s house before the newlyweds bid us all adieu and boarded a plane headed for the Bahamas.  Just thinking about it all had me feeling like taking off work Monday was a good idea.  Being on the go all weekend would surely leave me exhausted. 
    In my last session with Dr. Gill, w e discussed the idea of AJ and me speaking again.  I explained that I wasn’t opposed to saying a quick ‘hello’, but especially given the fact that he was newly engaged, I didn’t think it was a good idea.  She didn’t agree, but respected my opinion all the same.
    Jason’s ringtone distracted me from my thoughts.
    “Hello?”
    “Hey, babe.   I already called your cab.  It should be there in ten.”
    I z ipped my last bag and rushed it to the apartment door to set it beside the rest of my luggage.  “Ok, I’m ready.  You headed out now?”
    In the background, I heard Jason telling the driver his destination, which answered my question.
    “Yep, I’ll wait for you out front.”
    Grabbing my keys and purse, I nodded.  “Ok.  See you in a few.”
    We ended the call and, right on time, the cab pulled up to the curb outside my building.  The short, African-American man driving stepped out to load up my suitcases.  Jason had already told him where I needed to go, so I climbed in and watched the tall buildings pass by as we drove.  As promised, he was waiting