He chuckles and shakes his head, clearly picturing something about their first meeting. “I met her, and she knocked me off my feet. She wasn’t trying to, and I wasn’t looking for her. It just happened. So before I pursued anything with Bethaney, I went home and told my wife I wanted a divorce. Do you know she didn’t fight me on it? I think she was almost relieved that one of us had said what we both knew for a long time—that our marriage was over. And now, from what my kids tell me, she’s happily dating around and seems more content than they’ve ever known her.”

“That’s wonderful, sir.”

“Don’t let what other people think stop you from taking a risk at being happy. That’s what I’m saying to you.”

I nod, understanding now that he’s right. It just took me too long to get my head out of my ass.

The other two partners aren’t as understanding as Mr. Simons, but they accept my apology for making a scene after I assure them it will never happen again.

Making partner doesn’t seem so important right now, because what I care about the most is getting Kenzie back. If she agrees to be with me after my grand gesture on Friday, then I’ll be a happy man—partner or not.

There’s so much to do to get ready for Friday, so rather than get to work as soon as I get back to my office, I make a few phone calls to put everything in place.

This has to work. It has to.

I cannot live without her.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Kenzie

It’s Christmas Eve. I should be on top of the world, but instead of listening to Christmas carols in my earbuds, I’m listening to Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt.” This is the first Christmas I can remember, besides the year my grandparents died, when I’m not in the mood to celebrate.

After Andrew left my apartment Saturday morning, I called Tessa, and she came over and we watched every sad movie known to man while gorging on pizza and chocolate. None of it made me feel better though.

So when my brother called earlier this week and insisted I join him and Zahra down at the Rockefeller tree tonight, I tried to get out of it, but I couldn’t because I couldn’t tell him why I was so depressed. That his best friend had broken my heart when he made me feel unworthy.

I had enough of that feeling growing up with my parents, and I’m not willing to accept it from the man I love. Even if I did almost call him five times this week to hear him out. The point is, I never did. I stayed strong.