When Hearts Heal

Chapter 7

"That's not the type of man I want. Not for me or my children." I admitted as I sat up on the couch. 

"There you go, realizing that is an important step. Now you just have to work on forgiving yourself. You can't truly move on until you've forgiven yourself for everything that happened." 

Forgiveness. Why did that feel like an impossible task? I could forgive Julia for shutting me out and picking Jaden's side after the breakup, and I could even forgive Jaden for everything that happened. But I couldn't forgive myself, and I wish I knew why... 

"I'm hungry. Do you want to stay over for dinner? I can drive to Luigi's and grab us a pizza ?" I offered putting on my shoes. 

"Sounds fun. I can grab us some ice cream and then we can make a girl's night out of it, what do you say ?" Maya suggested. 

"Sounds perfect," I replied with a smile before grabbing my keys and driving over to Luigi's. 

There was something about comfort food, that was really comforting. And I know as a nurse, I should know better and I should eat healthier, but in times of sadness and grief, there was no way you would catch me eating carrot sticks over a mushroom pizza. 

"$24.95" the lady behind the counter repeated as I tapped my card. "Do you have a punch card?" She asked. 

"I do, but it's in the car," I answered rummaging through my purse. 

"No worries, you can go and get it and I'll stamp it for you." She kindly replied while handing me my receipt. 

I ran out to the car, grabbed my punch card from the center console, and closed my car door, before realizing my jacket was caught in the door. I always end up getting humbled when I am in a hurry. As I opened the car door to get my jacket out, suddenly, out of nowhere, a mischievous gust of wind decided to join in on the fun. It wrapped itself around the card, teasingly tugging at it until the card slipped away from my grip. I ran after it like a mad woman trying to catch it before a brown boot stepped on it and I stood up from my crouched position to meet the face of the person's boot I had just encountered. 

"I take it that this is yours?" He asked with an amused smile picking the card up from underneath his boot. 

"Thanks. I'm 2 punches away from a free large pizza." I answered before quickly regretting it and feeling stupid. "I'm so sorry. " 

"No, I'm sorry for nearly stepping on your hand miss..?" 

"Adeline. Adeline Bennett. " I answered, taking the card from him. 

"Well, humblest apologies Adeline Bennett. Could I make it up to you by buying you a drink?" He offered with a warm and kind smile. 

"Thank you, but I was just grabbing a pizza for girls' night. My friend's waiting for me. But thank you for the offer. "

"Well, at least let me buy you some wings to go with your pizza. It's the least I can do." He offered while opening the door to Luigi's. I agreed with a smile, being polite. 

"Thank you, " I thanked the handsome stranger as I grabbed my food from the counter. 

"The pleasure was all mine." He answered in a kind and gentle tone of voice as I smiled back before making my way back to my car.