Too Little, Too Late by Victoria Christopher Murray Read Free Book Online Page A

couple of trips to Africa and now I’m on the list to adopt.”
    “Really?” He grinned. “That’s terrific.”
    She nodded. “It’s been a while, though. Lots of bureaucracy. And since I’m not an actor rolling in the bucks…”
    “I’m sure it’ll happen.”
    “Let’s hope.” She raised her glass and took a sip of wine.
    “So, winning Emmys, planning on becoming a mother…you have quite a full life.”
    “You sound surprised. As if you thought I’d fall apart without you.”
    He didn’t miss a beat. “Not at all. I knew you’d be fine.”
    “Is that why you walked away leaving me only a note?” Her smile was gone—from her face and her tone.
    He hesitated. Wondered if he should take them back to business. Finally, “That’s not what happened.”
    “That’s what I remember. I came home from that business trip and you were gone. The only thing left was that note on the kitchen table.”
    “You knew I was moving out.”
    “That wasn’t supposed to be for another two weeks.”
    “I got a chance to get that apartment.”
    “And it couldn’t wait?”
    “No.”
    She pushed her plate away. Looked him straight in the eye. “That was a coward’s way. You never even said good-bye.”
    He took a moment to think. “I did what I thought was best.”
    “No you didn’t. You left then because you couldn’t face me. You knew that if I was there, you’d never be able to walk away.”
    He shook his head. “I wanted the break to be easy.”
    She laughed, but there was no joy in the sound. “How could breaking up ever be easy? Especially with the way I loved you.” She reached across the table, but he left her hand alone. “I thought you loved me, too.”
    This was supposed to be a meeting between colleagues. But a while ago, they were so much more, and because of that, Hosea knew this conversation had to happen.
    “I did love you, Natasia. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have asked you to marry me.”
    “But then, you took it back,” she said, as if she was still shocked by their break-up. “And I just want to know why.”
    “Why are we going over this again?”
    “Because even after five years, I still don’t understand.”
    He shook his head, spoke softly. “We weren’t meant to be.”
    “No matter how many times you say that, it doesn’t make sense. Not with the way we were.”
    He nodded slowly. There was a time when he couldn’t understand it himself. Even now he couldn’t explain it in clear English. For four years they walked the path that both were sure would lead to marriage.
    And then it was over.
    She was right; it didn’t make sense.
    Except—it was God. God spoke to his heart. Told him she was not the one. He had wrestled with God, at first. Refused to listen. But finally, he’d done what he had to do.
    “So,” she said. “Can you explain it to me?” When he stayed silent, she added, “That’s what I thought.”
    “I may not be able to explain it any better than I have, but I know we did the right thing.”
    “How can you say that, Hosea? We were magic.”
    He fought to keep those magical moments from his mind. “Natasia, we were not what the other needed.”
    Her voice rose a bit. “You were exactly what I needed.” Then she softened. “What I wanted.” She grabbed his hand. “And you’re exactly what I want…now.”
    He looked down at their hands together and remembered Jasmine’s words.
    “I don’t trust her.”
    Natasia said, “I loved you then and I love you now.”
    He drew his hand away, as if he’d been bitten by a snake. “Natasia, this is crazy. You and me…it’s long over.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “How can you ask me that? I’m married.”
    “You didn’t answer my question.”
    “I don’t love you. I’m in love with my wife.”
    She shrugged away his words. “I was engaged when we met.”
    His eyes thinned. “That was different. Your fiancé died.”
    “And sometimes I feel like I went through two deaths!”
    That hit him hard.