‘Why would we not be able to?’

Dom’s starting to look hurt and I can’t really blame him. He gets up from the floor, closes the ring box and sits back in his seat. I think carefully about my next words.

‘One of the things I realised after we broke up was that we always avoided the hard stuff, and that was without my diagnosis in the mix. I honestly don’t think it’s as simple as picking up where we left off. Plus…’ I shift uncomfortably in my seat and Dom spots this straight away.

‘You want to keep dating this other guy. Shit, I don’t believe this. I’m too late, aren’t I? Two months ago and it would have been a totally different situation.’

‘Perhaps.’ I reach across and put a reassuring hand on his arm. ‘I’m not saying never, Dom. It’s just that my life has been a blinking rollercoaster these last months. When we broke up, you just had to deal with our break-up. I had to deal with that and losing my sense of identity. That’s something you can never fully understand until it happens to you.’

Dom takes a deep breath and exhales loudly. ‘I never thought about it like that. Sorry, kitten, I thought I was doing the right thing. I really meant every word.’

‘I know you did. And I particularly appreciated the “in sickness and health” part. Though perhaps the wedding vows were a little premature.’ I let out an awkward chuckle. ‘I just need some time to wrap my head around all of this—’

‘And to figure out whether it’s me or this other guy.’

I grimace. ‘Don’t. Please. You make it sound so grubby. Just give me some time, yeah?’

Dom shrugs defeatedly. ‘I don’t like it, but it’s only fair. All I can do is hope this bloke is someone you need to get out your system, like I did with the women I dated.’

‘Thank you. I realise that’s a difficult request to agree to.’ I smile appreciatively, then raise a suspicious eyebrow. ‘Just how many women were there?’

‘Three. But not one of them a patch on you. Don’t keep me waiting too long, yeah?’

I take his hand and squeeze it. ‘I won’t. I promise. I have far too much respect for you.’

Chapter 25

Monday morning arrives and despite my being emotionally and physically exhausted from the events of the weekend, it’s a welcome distraction going back to work. Today is the start of my leadership programme – three intense days of workshops – something my career-focused mind has been looking forward to. Before heading to the conference room where the welcome session is taking place, I swing by my desk to grab my completed pre-work.

‘Good weekend?’ Emmanuel’s head peers over the PC screen opposite as I perch on my chair and unlock my desk drawer.

‘Yes, thanks. Not as relaxing as I’d hoped though. How was yours?’

Emmanuel eyes me for a moment. It’s clear she’s tuned in to the slightly forced tone in my voice, but she sticks to answering my question. ‘I had a lovely weekend, thank you. My sister flew in from the US – she emigrated there a long time ago – and we had a great catch-up over wine and sushi. Haven’t seen her in three years.’