“Luke got me past it. He told me I was worrying needlessly, that in all the years he’s worked at the marina, that was the first time he’d ever been seriously injured or seen anyone else seriously injured. He said his daily life isn’t particularly risky, and I replied that neither was Seth’s. Over time he’s helped me to see that what happened to Seth and the kids was a terrible tragedy, but I have no particular reason to worry that it’ll happen again.”

Jenny thought about what Syd had said and had to admit it made a lot of sense.

“It comes down to a choice, really,” Syd continued. “Do I miss out on the most wonderful second chance with Luke because I’m afraid to love and lose again? Or do I take the risk that everything might just be fine?”

“No regrets on choosing option B?”

“Not one. Luke has helped me to see that while Seth’s life is over, and my children’s lives are over, mine is not. You and I were both dealt a shitty hand, but we honor the people we lost by loving again. At least that’s what I believe.”

“That’s a lovely thing to believe. The last time I talked to Toby, after the plane hit the building and he knew what was going to happen… He told me he wanted me to be happy, that my happiness was the most important thing in the world to him. Imagine… He was aware that he was probably going to die, and all he was thinking about was me.”

“He knew what you most needed to hear, and he knew that when the time came to truly move forward, those words would mean everything to you.”

Jenny brushed at the tears that fell despite her desire to get through this without them. She’d cried more than enough over the last twelve years. You’d think she’d be all cried out by now.

“For what it’s worth, I think you’ll feel better after you tell Alex about Toby. It’s weighing you down at a time when you should be feeling happy at having found someone you want to be with. Tell him sooner rather than later so you can put the past where it belongs and start to enjoy the future.”

“That’s very good advice.”

“He works for himself, doesn’t he?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have his number?”

Jenny nodded. She’d programmed it into her phone after he called her last night.

“Text him and ask him where he’s working and whether he might be interested in a lunch delivery.”

“I can’t bother him in the middle of his workday.”

“Why not?”

Jenny couldn’t think of any good reason why not.

Sydney’s smug smile made her laugh. “Get your phone before you lose your nerve.”