“It’s not romantic! It’s stupid! Why would he risk his integrity for this? And why does he think I need him to save me?” By the looks on everyone’s faces, I’m pretty sure I’m yelling. But seriously! “Why are men like this?”

“Age-old question, girl.” Vonnie is the only one brave enough to answer.

“So,” Marie says. “What are we going to do?”

“Seriously, you can’t let him do this, especially when it won’t even help you.” Liv tells me something I already know.

I march over to the front door and grab my keys out of the bowl. “I’m going to go over to his house and yell at him! That’s what I’m going to do.”

“One problem with that plan.” Brynn is in my kitchen, opening all of my cabinets until she finally finds my wine glasses. “They’re at the hotel and it’s like Fort Knox in that bitch, no way you’re getting to him.”

Tears spring to my eyes as I think about his parents, about Patricia and Bill, and about all of the people who are feeling so inspired by him. My heart aches as I imagine how let down he will be in himself for giving in.

I can’t let that happen.

“I have to stop him.” I will never forgive myself if he does this.

But even more than that, I won’t forgive myself if I don’t fight for him.

At first, I was so wrapped up in my righteous anger that he would use the things I confided in him about against me. I was so mad that it was easy to ignore that he wasn’t trying to hurt me, he was trying to help me. He knew what I was struggling with, even when I didn’t. And just like I’ve been doing for my entire life, I ran from those feelings instead of confronting them.

I’m done running.

I know he won’t answer my calls. He might read my texts, but he deserves so much more than that. And I need to prove not only to him, but to myself, that I can fight for something, no matter how hard it might be. I have to see him.

“Oh goodness.” Marie straightens from her slumped-over position on my couch. “That’s your determined face. What are you thinking?”

“I’m not exactly sure, but I know I’m going to need all of your help.” I’ve always been the person to help, not the person who asks for it. But I know if I’m going to be able to do this the right way, I have to get over myself.

“So she does know how to ask for help!” Brynn walks back into my living room. “Miracles do happen!”

That seems a little dramatic.

“Oooh!” Greer puts down her cupcake and claps. “I have the perfect list of power affirmations for this!”

“Do we need TK to bring the whiteboard?” Poppy rubs her ever-expanding belly with one hand and reaches for her phone with the other. “This feels like a whiteboard mission.”