Love Letters (33 page)

“
How could I ever forget your face?” Suzanne said, touching his cheek. “My daughter found you after all.”

Ignacio held Suzanne’s trembling hand. “I can’t believe it’s been this long, and I still feel the same.”

“
I never thought I’d see you again,” Suzanne said, her eyes moist.

Ignacio held Suzanne’s hand close to his heart. “I never gave up hope, my love. I’ve waited a long time for this day to come.”

Chloe decided not to eavesdrop on their conversation. She took out her notebook looked at her wedding list. She had accomplished everything except purchasing her mother’s dress, which she wouldn’t need now since there would be no wedding. What she needed to do was call the different businesses and request a refund so she could return the money to Richard. Then she would need to return the engagement ring, yet as she looked down at it she couldn’t bring herself to do it. She began the checklist.

Giveaways – √ Makeup artist - √ Guestbook - √ Unity Candles - √

Limo Driver - √ Menu/Champagne - √ Videographer - √ Invitations - √

Chloe stood up and transferred to an empty table in the corner so her mom and Ignacio could have the privacy they needed. She dialed Nicole’s number. “Hi, Nic.”

“
Hello, Chloe, I was about to call you.”

“
What’s up?”

“
I wanted to ask you how the dinner went last night. We need to have a bachelorette party,” Nicole said. “I can’t believe you’re getting hitched so soon.”

“
Oh,” Chloe said softly with a watery smile.

“
What’s the matter with you, Chloe? You sound down.”

Chloe told Nicole everything that had happened in the past forty-eight hours which started with Trish’s phone call, her seeing Josh and Trish kiss, the dinner and what transpired after. “That leaves me all alone.”

“
Chloe, I’m sorry to hear all that. I wish I was there to comfort you,” Nicole said.

“
Thanks, Nic, but it’s all my fault.”

“
Don’t be so hard on yourself, Chloe. What you did isn’t wrong. You can’t tell your heart who to love.”

Chloe closed her eyes. She missed Josh – a lot. A part of her felt sorry for hurting Richard, but she felt relieved that she wasn’t marrying him. She would need to apologize to him for what it would be worth. And he would need to know exactly what Nicole said. She was right. You
can’t
tell your heart who to love. “You know what, Nic? I’m so glad I got to talk to you. You always put things in proper perspective.”

Nicole chuckled. “That’s what I’m here for and believe me, Chloe, everything’s going to turn out fine. And as for Richard, he too will find his match.”

“
Thanks so much, Nic.”

“
Sure, anytime.”

“
By the way, guess where I am?”

“
Where are you?”

“
You wouldn’t believe it, but I’m at the Conservatory Lounge of the Ritz hotel where I told Ignacio to meet Mom.”

Nicole gasped. “Chloe, you never told me you found him! You’re one good detective.”

Chloe chuckled. “I’m sorry. It must have slipped my mind with all this drama going on. You should have seen the look on Mom’s face when she saw him. She looked like she had seen a ghost.”

Nicole laughed hard. “Poor Suzanne. I swear, Chloe, you could have given her a heart attack, you silly girl.”

“
I’ve never seen her like this before. She’s so in love, and she seems so gentle and calm with Ignacio,” Chloe said, glancing at both of them.

“
Well, I’m glad your mom’s finally happy.”

“
Nic, forty years and it’s still there,” Chloe said.

“
Well, you sure are her daughter,” Nicole teased.

“
Very funny. Anyway, I have to go. I’m starving.”

“
Talk to you soon,” Nicole said.

Chloe shut her phone and called the waiter to bring her a Caesars salad.

After eating she paid the bill and walked towards Suzanne’s table. She sighed in relief as she caught them gazing at each other in silence – the love never lost. Now she knew she had done the right thing. Although she was still Daddy’s little girl, she had never seen her mom give her dad the same look she was giving Ignacio. She now understood what was missing – love and a deeper connection, which she herself longed for. She closed her eyes and smiled.
I’m glad that Mom will have that second chance.

“
Excuse me Mom, would it be all right if I leave you both?” Turning to Ignacio she said, “Ignacio, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. My mom left her car at home and I’m sure you have so much to talk about, would it be okay if—”

“
Not a problem, Chloe. I’ll take her home,” Ignacio said, in his faint Spanish accent. “And Chloe, I want to thank you for doing this. If it weren’t for you … I would have never seen your mother again.” His voice cracked.

Chloe smiled. She saw the sparkle in both their eyes. She was thankful that today’s meeting was so different from last night’s disaster.

“
Chloe, dear, you need to teach me how to work that Facebook, all right?” Suzanne said, wiping her eyes.

Chloe nodded and hugged them goodbye. “All right, adios to you both and have a great time.” She was glad that she had accomplished her mother’s wish, because it was clear to Chloe that both of them still had so much love for another.

***

After leaving Suzanne and Ignacio at the Ritz hotel, Chloe went to her car and made a quick phone call. She took a deep breath before she punched in Josh’s number.
She didn’t know what to tell Josh but she needed to call him. After several rings, her call went to voicemail and when she was about to leave a message, she couldn’t find the words to tell him how she felt. A sudden
tightness seared her chest as she shut her phone and put the gear in reverse. Then she drove to the Hillsdale Mall in San Mateo. Was he avoiding her now?

She bought four pairs of shoes, a purse and three tops. After nearly three hours of shopping she went to her favorite spa to get a full Swedish massage and a facial. She decided that she wasn’t going to think about anyone but herself today. Following two hours at the spa, she indulged in her favorite Belgian chocolate.
Today I get to be queen.

***

As soon as she returned home, she found a message from Darlene Walters, the wedding consultant, informing her that everybody loved her gown and hoping that they could meet up soon.

She immediately called her. “Hi, Darlene, this is Chloe.”

“
Chloe, I’m so glad you called me back. How’ve you been? I’m sure you’re busy planning your wedding,” Darlene said.

Chloe bit her lip. She wasn’t ready to discuss her situation. “I’ve thought a lot about what you said and would like to meet with you at your earliest convenience.”

“
I’m glad that you’re interested, since there is so much I would like to discuss with you. Would you be free tomorrow for a late dinner?”

“
That sounds fine,” Chloe said, looking at her calendar. She needed to talk to Millie the next day. “I get off work at 7:30 and can meet you around 8:00.”

“
That would be awesome. Can we meet at Café Gibraltar? I’ll make reservations for two.”

“
I’ll be there.”

***

Chloe was up earlier than usual the next morning. A week had passed since the whole fiasco and she was now geared up for her business plans. She arrived at the shop by 9:00 and went over the assignments for her assistants before it was time to leave. Millie would be coming in at 11:00 which would give Chloe time to prepare. She checked her emails and saw that she had an email from Richard, which basically said that they needed to talk.

Chloe couldn’t find the courage to call Richard, but she knew she had to face him sooner rather than later. She took a calming breath before calling him. “Richard, this is Chloe.”

“
Chloe.”

“
Hi.”

A long pause followed before Richard finally spoke. “What happened to us?”

Chloe fought back tears. “I’m afraid…I can’t answer that question. I’m so sorry, Richard. The last thing I ever wanted was to hurt you.”

He sighed. “But you did.”

A tear fell from her right eye. “I know I did and I feel awful about everything. I take full responsibility for my actions.”

Richard blew out a sharp breath. “Why did it have to be this way? Was it because I was busy all the time and I neglected you?”

Chloe sighed. “I don’t know the right words to explain it, but a wise person just told me that you can’t tell the heart who to love.”

Richard was quiet for a long time before he then spoke. “But it’s you I love, Chloe.”

Chloe closed the door to her office and covered her eyes. Who said breaking up was easy? She remembered her mom’s words – one of them was going to get hurt. She didn’t want it to be that way, and although Richard was a workaholic and a control freak he was still a decent man. He was smart and had good family values. “I’m sorry, Richard. I know that love can be a crazy thing and that I don’t have it all figured out. But what I do know is that there’s going to be someone for you, someone who will love you the way you deserve to be loved.”

His voice cracked when he whispered “thanks.” She had hurt him so much and she was sure his family was disappointed in her. “I promise to give you back the engagement ring and the refund for the wedding as soon as I get it.”

“
Chloe?” he said softly.

“
Yes?”

“
May you be happy … always.”

She said goodbye, then cried as she put down the phone. Why did it have to hurt so much? She pulled out another tissue and blew her nose. She had to get a hold of herself before Millie arrived.

Moments later her phone rang. It was her mother.

“
Chloe, darling, how are you doing?” asked Suzanne in high spirits.

“
I’m fine, Mom, how are you?”

“
Ignacio and I are having such a wonderful time. We spent the whole week at the Ritz and got to watch the sunset. This morning we walked along the beach and talked about everything from where we left off until now.”

Chloe smiled. “Mom, I’m so happy for you.”

“
Listen,” Suzanne said, with tenderness in her voice, “we would like to take you to dinner tomorrow tonight if that’s all right with you?”

“
Where?”

“
We can meet you at the Moss Beach Distillery around 7:00 if that’s good for you.”

“
I’ll be there.”

“
Oh, Chloe, I’m so glad you can make it. I have so much to tell you.”

“
I’m sure you do, and I look forward to seeing you two.”

Chloe sat down and stared at her computer. She had already informed Faye and Maureen that the wedding was cancelled. Out of respect for her privacy they had said nothing. They were both going to be working for her once she took over the business and no doubt didn’t want to rock the boat.

Chloe was still deep in thought and didn’t hear Millie walk in. “Chloe, it’s your last day working day. Three more weeks and you’ll be walking down that aisle. Are you excited?”

“
Um … uh, hi, Millie,” Chloe fumbled. “If you have a moment, I need to talk to you.”

“
Sure, just give me a second to get settled in and I’ll be right with you.”

Moments later Millie and Chloe were sitting in Millie’s office.

“
Do you want some coffee?” Chloe asked.

“
No thanks. I’m meeting somebody for an early lunch and will have coffee after we eat,” said Millie. “What is it that you wanted to discuss with me?”

Chloe folded her hands in her lap. “Millie, this might come as a surprise to you, but I’ve broken up with Richard and called off the wedding.” Millie was like a second mom to her so she told her everything about what happened, including her feelings for Josh.

Millie grinned.

“
You’re not surprised?” Chloe asked in astonishment.

“
Chloe, you know I want you to be happy,” Millie said. “I’m sorry to bring this up, but when I met Richard for the first time I knew he wasn’t the man for you. I didn’t want to tell you because you looked so in love with him.”

“
Oh,” Chloe said, frowning. How had everyone seen what she could not?

Millie fingered her bracelet. “I know this must hurt, but aren’t you glad that you didn’t marry the wrong man?”

Chloe nodded but still felt sad for Richard. No matter what, he had played a part in her life for two years.

“
I’m sure Josh is also giving you your space. He wouldn’t want to impose on you after everything that happened.”

Chloe nodded.

“
Time will heal,” Millie added. “You enjoy your vacation and don’t worry about what people will say. You’ll soon be running your own business, and I foresee tremendous growth and success.”