So do I. In fact, I’ll never forget him because a piece of my heart will belong to him forever. If I’m being honest with myself, all of my heart will.
“Harrison Keene,” she whispers, glancing at a display case to her right. “He spent a lot of time looking at that case over there.”
I glance in that direction. “What do I owe you for this?”
She shakes her head. “Nothing. Harrison paid a rush fee for the charm. That more than covered this.”
I reach into my purse to tug out the gift card that Declan gave me for my birthday. “I don’t mind paying.”
Her gaze drops to the card. “Save that for another time. You can use it when you come back to get Harrison a wedding ring.”
My eyes flood with tears because it feels as though she crawled into the middle of my imagination to view my greatest wish.
There was a brief moment in time when I thought that I could one day become Ava Keene, but that will never happen.
“It’s not… Harry and I aren’t…” I stammer, trying to put words to what I feel. “It’s not like that.”
“Really?” Her eyes widen. “I’m sorry, Ava. I just assumed, based on how long he looked at engagement rings, that he was planning on coming back to purchase one.”
“Not for me,” I whisper.
“I’m embarrassed,” she admits as her cheeks blush. “I thought you two were together.”
“I’m his best friend’s sister,” I tell her. “That’s all I am to him.”
“I’m sorry.” Her hand moves to cover mine. “I put my foot in my mouth. That was my mistake.”
I put my heart in Harry’s hands. That was my mistake.
“Let me help you put the bracelet on.” She picks it up. “It’s beautiful, Ava. It tells a story of a woman who loves London. Is that where you’re headed tomorrow? Is it for a trip?”
“I live there,” I say as she fastens the clasp on my bracelet. “I’m going home to the place I belong.”
It’s only a half-lie because right now, I don’t feel I belong anywhere.
As I step into my apartment, I glance down at the screen of my phone and the text message that just arrived.
Roxy: R U coming to Harrison’s party? It’s in 33 days. Signed, Roxy.
This is only the second text message Harry’s youngest sister has ever sent me. The first was yesterday when she asked me if playing the piano is hard. I sent her a message back telling her that it takes a little time to learn how to play, but after that, it’s more fun than hard.
I don’t answer her message immediately because Harry wouldn’t want me at any party he’s at.
Roxy: It’s Harry’s MS party. All his friends come. U should.
I stare at the screen of my phone. Curiosity sends my fingers over the screen to type out a reply.
Ava: What’s an MS party?
As I wait for her to reply, I make my way to my bedroom to finish packing. My flight to London departs La Guardia at six in the morning. Declan somehow managed to clear his schedule for the week, so he’s sitting in the seat next to me.
I’m grateful for that.
A chime from my phone lures my gaze back to it.
I read the message once and then again, not sure if I’m reading it right or if Roxy is confused.
Roxy: Multiple sclerosis. Harry told us he has it. He has a party for it every year. I get to go this time!!!
I drop to my ass on my bed, emotions swirling inside of me.
I had no idea that Harry has MS.
He underwrites a fundraiser every year for a charity that is researching a cure for MS. I know that because last year, Sean sent me a photo of him and Graham all decked out in their tuxedos on their way to the gala.
Harry also backs a half dozen other charitable endeavors, according to my brother.
Roxy’s next message arrives before I have a chance to respond to her.
Roxy: He told me he’s not going to die. Come to the party, k?
She follows that with a string of emojis, including a party hat, a balloon, and a heart. Just as my trembling hand moves to reply to her message, another pops up on the screen of my phone.
Harrison: I’m in front of your building. Please let me up. I need to talk to you. Please, Ava.
As a tear from my eye drops to the screen, I open the app on my phone that enables me to open the building’s door, and I buzz Harry in.
CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE
Harrison
I almost drop to my knees when she opens the door to her apartment.
I can tell she’s been crying. I know it’s because of me. Walking away from her was selfish and cruel. I’ll regret it until the day I die.
“Come in,” she says, signaling for me to enter.
I do, softly shutting the door behind me.
Her eyes don’t leave my face. “Harry.”
“Ava.” I take a step toward her. “I’m so sorry.”
Her head bobs up and down. “I know.”
“What I did was wrong,” I say, emotion lacing my tone. “I should have explained things to you. I should have told you how I felt.”
She tugs the white cardigan she’s wearing closer around her body. The white T-shirt underneath disappears from view. “I know, Harry.”
“Asking for your forgiveness is a lot, but if you give me a chance to explain now, I hope you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me.”
“I know,” she repeats for the third time. “I know you have MS.”
Tears fall from her eyes onto her cheeks. It slays me to see that.
“Ava.” My voice cracks.
“Roxy told me,” she explains, even though, I don’t care who the fuck told her. I was about to do it myself.
She turns the phone in her hand to show me the screen. “She told me just now. She invited me to the party for your MS.”
A soft smile coasts over her lips.
“A party for my MS?” My brow furrows. “I don’t understand.”
“The gala.” She tilts her head. “She said your friends come to it and that she’s going this year. She told me you aren’t going to die.”
“I’m not,” I say assuredly. “If fate sees fit, I plan on living a very long time. I’m doing everything in my power to handle having MS the best way I know how. So far, I’m doing well. I have minimal symptoms at the moment.”
“I’m glad.”
“It won’t always be that way, but…”
“But that’s just one part of your journey,” she interrupts.
“Yes,” I acknowledge with a brisk nod of my chin.
She gestures toward the couch. “Do you want to sit?”
I look in that direction, but my gaze darts back to her. Even though she’s been crying, she is so fucking beautiful. “I want to say something to you, Ava.”
“What?” Her finger skims the skin beneath her left eye even though tears are still gathered in the corners of her eyes. “What is it?”