Love Letters

  He sighed. “But you did.”

  A tear fell from her right eye. “I know I did and I feel awful about everything. I take full responsibility for my actions.”

  Richard blew out a sharp breath. “Why did it have to be this way? Was it because I was busy all the time and I neglected you?”

  Chloe sighed. “I don’t know the right words to explain it, but a wise person just told me that you can’t tell the heart who to love.”

  Richard was quiet for a long time before he then spoke. “But it’s you I love, Chloe.”

  Chloe closed the door to her office and covered her eyes. Who said breaking up was easy? She remembered her mom’s words – one of them was going to get hurt. She didn’t want it to be that way, and although Richard was a workaholic and a control freak he was still a decent man. He was smart and had good family values. “I’m sorry, Richard. I know that love can be a crazy thing and that I don’t have it all figured out. But what I do know is that there’s going to be someone for you, someone who will love you the way you deserve to be loved.”

  His voice cracked when he whispered “thanks.” She had hurt him so much and she was sure his family was disappointed in her. “I promise to give you back the engagement ring and the refund for the wedding as soon as I get it.”

  “Chloe?” he said softly.

  “Yes?”

  “May you be happy … always.”

  She said goodbye, then cried as she put down the phone. Why did it have to hurt so much? She pulled out another tissue and blew her nose. She had to get a hold of herself before Millie arrived.

  Moments later her phone rang. It was her mother.

  “Chloe, darling, how are you doing?” asked Suzanne in high spirits.

  “I’m fine, Mom, how are you?”

  “Ignacio and I are having such a wonderful time. We spent the whole week at the Ritz and got to watch the sunset. This morning we walked along the beach and talked about everything from where we left off until now.”

  Chloe smiled. “Mom, I’m so happy for you.”

  “Listen,” Suzanne said, with tenderness in her voice, “we would like to take you to dinner tomorrow tonight if that’s all right with you?”

  “Where?”

  “We can meet you at the Moss Beach Distillery around 7:00 if that’s good for you.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  “Oh, Chloe, I’m so glad you can make it. I have so much to tell you.”

  “I’m sure you do, and I look forward to seeing you two.”

  Chloe sat down and stared at her computer. She had already informed Faye and Maureen that the wedding was cancelled. Out of respect for her privacy they had said nothing. They were both going to be working for her once she took over the business and no doubt didn’t want to rock the boat.

  Chloe was still deep in thought and didn’t hear Millie walk in. “Chloe, it’s your last day working day. Three more weeks and you’ll be walking down that aisle. Are you excited?”

  “Um … uh, hi, Millie,” Chloe fumbled. “If you have a moment, I need to talk to you.”

  “Sure, just give me a second to get settled in and I’ll be right with you.”

  Moments later Millie and Chloe were sitting in Millie’s office.

  “Do you want some coffee?” Chloe asked.

  “No thanks. I’m meeting somebody for an early lunch and will have coffee after we eat,” said Millie. “What is it that you wanted to discuss with me?”

  Chloe folded her hands in her lap. “Millie, this might come as a surprise to you, but I’ve broken up with Richard and called off the wedding.” Millie was like a second mom to her so she told her everything about what happened, including her feelings for Josh.

  Millie grinned.

  “You’re not surprised?” Chloe asked in astonishment.

  “Chloe, you know I want you to be happy,” Millie said. “I’m sorry to bring this up, but when I met Richard for the first time I knew he wasn’t the man for you. I didn’t want to tell you because you looked so in love with him.”

  “Oh,” Chloe said, frowning. How had everyone seen what she could not?

  Millie fingered her bracelet. “I know this must hurt, but aren’t you glad that you didn’t marry the wrong man?”

  Chloe nodded but still felt sad for Richard. No matter what, he had played a part in her life for two years.

  “I’m sure Josh is also giving you your space. He wouldn’t want to impose on you after everything that happened.”

  Chloe nodded.

  “Time will heal,” Millie added. “You enjoy your vacation and don’t worry about what people will say. You’ll soon be running your own business, and I foresee tremendous growth and success.”

  Chloe hugged her. “Thank you, Millie.”

  “Remember to be strong.”

  Chloe nodded.

  “Once you come back from your vacation, we can meet to sign some papers,” Millie said before saying goodbye.

  Chloe spent the whole afternoon with clients and, at seven o’ clock, she said goodbye to Faye and Maureen who were going to close the shop. She arrived before 7:30 at Café Gibraltar and was seated at the reserved table. Darlene walked right in and waved at her. She looked all tanned and fresh from her honeymoon and was wearing a white sleeveless blouse and dark jeans with metallic sandals.

  “Chloe, I’m so glad you came.”

  Chloe gave her a tight embrace. “I appreciate all your help.”

  They ordered drinks and appetizers, while Darlene studied the menu. She couldn’t decide between the Filet Mignon Roti or the Pesce a la Pantelleria. After asking the waiter several questions, she said, “I’m in the mood for meat, not fish. And could you change my white wine to red?”

  Chloe shook her head in amazement at how Darlene used her charm to talk to people and, despite her fickle disposition, she still managed to get what she wanted. She was more radiant and her tan glowed with the lighting of the restaurant.

  “You see, Chloe, your patience is what struck me because in this business you will need to put up with a lot of annoying people. I’m definitely one of them,” Darlene said, sipping her wine.

  “You’re one of a kind.”

  “My husband thinks I’m a pain in the you know what.” Darlene laughed. “Tell me, are you excited about your wedding? You must be.”

  Chloe’s smile faded. “Um, there is no wedding.”

  “What happened?”

  Chloe decided it would be okay to tell Darlene everything so she did.

  “Oh,” Darlene said. “It must have been difficult for you.”

  Chloe nodded.

  “Things happen for a reason,” Darlene said. “It might not make sense now, but it will later on.”

  “Thank you,” Chloe said, thinking of Josh. “I know it will.”

  “My first husband cheated on me big time. He wiped me out after the divorce.”

  “Really?”

  Darlene nodded. “I was in denial for eight years and never saw it coming. My family and friends saw through him, but I didn’t. One day he came home and told me he didn’t love me anymore, and that he was filing for a divorce. He took everything I had worked for.”

  “Oh my gosh,” Chloe said, shaking her head. “How did you cope?”

  “For the first year I was a total wreck. I couldn’t accept what he had done to me after all I’d been through. After that I found out he had been cheating on me before we were married, and he had financial issues.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “I woke up one day and told myself I was done with the pity party. I needed to get up and to move on with my life. I learned that life doesn’t always turn out the way you plan it.”

  “You’re absolutely right,” Chloe said, thinking of Josh again.

  “I look back and have no regrets about what happened. It made me a better person and I have gained back all that I lost. I also allowed myself to fall in love again.”

  The waiter brought in t
heir dishes. “Chloe, sometimes what you’re looking for is right in front of you.”

  Chloe took a bite of her lamb and listened intently. “Who knows, if you married Richard you might not have been happy. It’s a blessing in disguise.”

  “That’s what everyone says.”

  “I totally understand, Chloe. Now,” she said, taking a sip of her wine, “tell me more about this Josh.”

  Chloe shared stories about Josh and how he loved to surf. They had a wonderful dinner and Darlene gave her a list of her contacts in the wedding business. They agreed to meet again in July after Chloe’s vacation.

  Back at home Chloe hugged her teddy bear while lying in bed. She had retrieved the bear from the plastic bag she left in the garage, unable to part with it, and had kept it in her closet until now. I miss Josh. She walked towards the window and peered into the lens of her telescope. The stars were shining bright but the only thing missing was Josh. She picked up the cordless and dialed Josh’s number. It was ringing. She closed her eyes. What do I tell him? After four rings he picked up.

  “Hello.”

  She breathed hard but couldn’t find the words to say everything she was feeling.

  “Chloe? Is that you?”

  “Josh?”

  “Um, sorry this is Phil. Is this Chloe?”

  Her face fell. What was Josh’s phone doing with Phil? “Um, hi, Phil. Yes, this is Chloe.”

  Phil paused like he knew something was wrong. “Josh isn’t here… He moved back to Oregon yesterday.”

  Chloe bit her lip to keep from crying.

  “Chloe?”

  “Yes,” she said, softly.

  “Josh left me his phone. He said he wouldn’t need it anymore.”

  Chloe was silent. She didn’t know what to say. “Thanks, Phil.”

  “All right, see you around,” Phil said before hanging up.

  Chloe held the phone to her chest and closed her eyes. How could he leave without saying goodbye?

  Chapter Eighteen

  Suzanne and Ignacio were holding hands as Chloe entered the Moss Distillery. They sat in the Ocean Patio sharing a blanket while watching the sunset above the coastline. Since their encounter at the Ritz hotel they looked inseparable, like two happy lovebirds. Her thoughts shifted to Josh. Had she lost her chance with her true love? Would she have to wait forty years like her mom to see Josh again? She fought back tears at the thought, then threw her shoulders back, determined to focus on her mother’s happiness.

  Chloe brought Greta with her since the restaurant was pet friendly. Plus Greta always had a way of cheering her up. She gave her mother a big hug and shook Ignacio’s hand before she sat down. His olive skin made him look quite young for his age and his deep-set eyes showed the intense love he had for Suzanne.

  “Mom, you look different. Did you change your hairstyle?” Suzanne’s hair looked softer than usual and her skin was reddish. “You look great, Mom,” Chloe said, looking at her mother then smiling at Ignacio.

  Suzanne giggled like a little girl. “No change, sweetie.”

  The waiter came to take their orders, and Ignacio insisted they order champagne. The waiter left to get the champagne. As Chloe was studying the menu, Suzanne said, “Ignacio and I have an announcement to make.”

  Chloe put the menu down and perked her ears. Ignacio’s eyes were dancing as he gazed at Suzanne. “Okay, what is it?”

  Chloe covered Greta with a blanket and waited as the waiter opened the champagne and poured it into three glasses.

  “Oh look at Greta. Isn’t she a doll,” Suzanne said, patting the French Bulldog.

  Chloe took a sip of champagne and asked her mother again about their announcement.

  Suzanne squeezed Ignacio’s hand. “Chloe, dear, we just wanted to tell you that Ignacio and I are getting married.”

  Chloe gasped, nearly choking on her champagne. “That’s wonderful… I’m so happy for you both. When did this happen?”

  “We figured we’ve spent forty years of longing to be together…why wait?” Suzanne said, looking at Ignacio and back at Chloe.

  Chloe had tears in her eyes as she embraced them. “I’m so happy that I found you, Ignacio. I’ve never seen Mom so happy.”

  “You’re the first person we’ve told,” Ignacio said, speaking for the first time. He seemed very quiet and reserved which was the exact opposite of Suzanne. “After all, it was you who found me, and I have a lot to thank you for.”

  “Cheers to you both,” Chloe said raising her glass. “When’s the date and where do you plan to get married?”

  “We plan to fly to Vegas… nothing fancy,” Suzanne said, tilting her head.

  “Vegas?” Chloe said, raising her eyebrows. “That sounds very unlike you, Mom.”

  “Oh, Chloe, I’m too old to plan a wedding. Vegas would be much easier.”

  Chloe was in deep thought as she opened her purse and removed her notebook. “Wait a minute. Oh yes…this should work.”

  The waiter came back to take their order but Suzanne said, “We need a few more minutes.”

  “Mom, I have an idea.”

  Suzanne frowned. “What is it, Chloe?”

  Chloe looked at her list, recalling all the plans she’d made. Now everything had changed, but at least someone should be happy. “I haven’t had the chance to cancel the venue, the cake, the flowers, the band, and the whole wedding package. Everything is ready except for the bride and groom,” Chloe said. “I instructed Richard to inform the guests of the cancellation, but everything else is still open.”

  “What are you saying, Chloe?” Suzanne set her champagne glass down.

  “I’m saying that the two of you can get married on June 15 at the Ritz-Carlton hotel. I have everything taken care of.”

  “That’s in three weeks,” Suzanne said. “How many guests should we invite on such short notice?”

  “C’mon, Mom, I’m sure we can pull this all together. We can make a guest list of eighty. I can fax the list tonight to the printing company and request a rush order.”

  “Eighty people? How am I going to come up with eighty people?”

  Ignacio put his arms around Suzanne. “Your daughter is right. We can make this happen. I can gather a total of fifty people which include my children, grandchildren, our extended family, former co-workers and friends.”

  “That’s awesome.” Chloe smiled. “Mom, you and Aunt Jill have so many friends. I can bring Nicole and Matt.”

  Ignacio was already writing down his list as the waiter came back for the third time. Both Suzanne and Chloe could hardly think of food so they decided to stick to appetizers. “We’ll have the crab cakes, pork ribs, oysters on the half shell and seared yellow fish tuna.”

  When the food arrived fifteen minutes later, Suzanne merely picked at her food, while Chloe took small bites.

  “What about my dress?” Suzanne asked, putting her fork down.

  “We can check for gowns at the shop tomorrow if you want.”

  “I’m not sure if this is going to work,” Suzanne said, touching her hair.

  “Trust me, Mom. I have everything taken care of. It’s going to be fine. This will be my first project as a wedding planner.” Chloe held her hand. “All I need from you now is your guest list, and the songs you want the band to play so I can notify them.”

  “How about the photographer, my makeup, and my entourage?”

  Chloe showed Suzanne the list, while Ignacio squeezed Suzanne’s hands. “Calm down, mi amor. This is going to be a memorable day for both of us.”

  Chloe smiled at Ignacio. There was something about his presence that calmed her mother. Suzanne seemed to get lost staring at his eyes and allowed him to be in control when she was nervous. Chloe was happy to see that Ignacio was so grounded.

  “Chloe, you’re supposed to be on vacation and recovering from what happened. It would be selfish of me to let you to do all the work,” Suzanne said, patting Chloe’s arm.

  “Mom, don’t worry… I love w
hat I do and it doesn’t feel like work at all. Most of it’s already done. I only need to make a few changes.”

  “Do you have the exact cost of this wedding?” Ignacio asked.

  Chloe wrote down the amount. “This is for everything except for the new invitations we will have printed.”

  Ignacio pulled out his checkbook and wrote a check to Chloe. “Let me know how much I need to add for the invitations.”

  Chloe stood up to give Ignacio a tight embrace. “Thank you so much.” This not only solves my problem of Richard’s refund, but this is the best gift Mom could ever have.

  Ignacio smiled. “I’ve waited so long for Suzanne that I want it to be special for both of us.”

  Suzanne had tears in her eyes as she embraced Ignacio tight whispering, “Thank you.”

  “It will be like our first time together,” Ignacio said, kissing Suzanne’s hand. “The Ritz hotel will always be memorable to me because that’s where I met you again.”

  Finally, Suzanne had reunited with her one true love. If only she could say the same.

  “Mom, I know you like to be in control, but I promise you that this will be the best day of your life,” Chloe said, squeezing her hand.

  “Okay, wedding planner, but don’t forget that you take after me.” Suzanne winked.

  “Some things never change, do they?”

  They all laughed and continued to eat the appetizers, while Greta got to join the celebration by having some pork ribs.

  “Mom, I almost forgot…you can use your honeymoon present to me for the two of you instead. The tickets are transferable right?”

  Suzanne gave a faint smile. “I’m not sure I want to go to Tahiti. You know how I hate the sun.”

  “Tahiti?” Ignacio said, taking a sip of his champagne. “Never been there. This will be the first time for both of us.”

  Suzanne pursed her lips. “I’m not really fond of lying out in the sun.”

  Ignacio kissed her cheek gently. “Have you ever heard of night swimming?”

  Suzanne grinned.

  Ignacio paid the bill and gave a generous tip.

  “C’mon, Mom, it’s going to be fun. The place doesn’t matter as long as you’re with the one you love,” Chloe said, standing up to leave.