My mouth falls open. An image of a smiling woman stares back at me—and holy Moses does she look like me. Her cheeks are a little rounder and she’s built a little stockier, but we have the same long, layered haircut, the same light brown eyes, similar noses (hers has a more pronounced bump in the bridge), and the same thick, dark eyebrows.

He certainly has a type. No wonder he never gave Walsh a second look.

Nikolai lowers the phone with a last longing gaze at the picture.

“What really happened between you two?” I ask.

His shoulders sag. “I broke off our engagement, it is true. But not because she did something wrong.” He swallows hard and a tear spills down his flushed cheek. “She’s too good for me. I knew it was only a matter of time before she would wake up one day, realize the truth, and leave me. So, I left her first.”

“Let me get this straight. You dumped her because you don’t think you deserve her?”

“She is the perfect woman. She likes riding horses and singing carols on Christmas and she is the kindest person you will ever meet. Her smile could cure the world of sickness and her laugh sounds like angels.” He heaves a sigh of pure misery. “How could I ever deserve her?”

“Why wouldn’t you deserve her? You’re a smart, successful chiropractor. You didn’t hesitate to jump in and save me when I fell out of the kayak. You’re like a son to Dwight. And your dance moves…”

He tilts his chin up, eyes wide. “Yes?”

“Well, I’ve never seen anything like them.” Puffing my cheeks, I exhale. “Clearly, you’re still hung up on her. Why all this with me then?”

Bracing his elbows on his spread knees, he hangs his head. “I think, if I could only make myself be with another woman, then maybe I forget her. If you and I—” He forms a circle with one hand and halfheartedly pumps his index finger through it. “Then perhaps I can finally break this hold she has over my heart.”

With a deep sigh, he shakes his head sadly. “But now, sitting here, I realize that will never happen, because there is no other woman in the world for me except her. I’ve been so stupid.” He lumbers to his feet and edges toward the door. “I leave you alone now. My sincere apologies.”

Running my tongue along the edges of my teeth, I stand. “You need to call her.”

“Why? What is the point?”

“Tell her everything you just told me. Everything that’s happened.”

“Everything?”

“Everything.”

“Even the…” He pistons his arms like he’s kayaking.

“Yep.”

“And the…” He shimmies his shoulders.

“Uh-huh. I mean, you don’t need to tell her you were hitting on another woman. Just be honest about your feelings.”