A Heart's Desire

Chapter 9

Samantha woke up the next morning feeling exhausted. Tossing, turning and having weird dreams that she could not remember when she woke up, did not give her the most restful night's sleep. At this point she wasn't sure who she was madder at. Declan for telling her to go out on a date or Brett for lying about cheating ten years ago. Maybe neither man was the one for her.
Samantha sat up in bed and stretched. Did she just say that? Maybe neither man was the one for her? It was true though, she did not need a man to be happy in her life. She never thought of that before and now she was starting to seriously consider it.

She reached over for her phone to check if she had any new messages. She noticed there was one from Declan and one from Brett. She opened Declan's message first.

Hi sweetheart, I didn't like the way we left things. I know you probably think I am an asshole for what I'm doing but I want you to know that even though my heart is arguing with my brain I do think you have to know for sure who you want to be with. But if I'm wrong, then call me and I will come and get you and we can ride off into the sunset together. LOL. Just know that I love you to the moon and back and don't feel bad about doing what you have to do - for you. This probably still is not coming out the way I want. Good night. I love you and I miss you!

Samantha smiled and she reread the message. How could she think that she was better off without him? She then backed out of the message and clicked on Brett's.

Good Morning, Hope you slept well. I hope you had time to think about me taking you out on a date this evening. No pressure. If the answer is no then I will understand. Let me know either way...although I am hoping you say yes

Samantha smiled at that message too. Brett was always so sweet and she never felt pressured into anything while they were dating. He was always the gentleman, opening doors, carrying heavy things for her and he would even come over and help her dad work on cars. Maybe he was the same guy but then again maybe he changed. He could have changed for the better? Everybody needs to grow up some time.

She thought about her conversation with Declan again and then the one she had with her mother. Maybe she did owe it to herself and both guys too once and for all figure this out. Brett, Declan or herself.

Good morning Brett, I have done a lot of thinking and I think we should go out because I feel like there is still more we need to talk about.

She paused for a moment with her finger floating over the send button. Here goes nothing she thought as she pushed it. Then she decided to send a quick message to Declan.

I'm sorry I didn't get your message last night. I do know that this situation is very hard for you as it is for myself. Sometimes I wonder how we got here. Things seemed to have happened so fast over the last few days but I understand what you are trying to say. I know I haven't made things any easier by being indecisive but do know that I miss you too. I thought I should also let you know that I decided to go on the date with Brett. I hope this is the right thing to do and it will finally clarify everything once and for all. I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say but I'm sorry again. Thank you for being you. These are weird times. Please know I do love you.

By the time she had finished her message to Declan and hit send, Brett had responded back.

Fantastic, I will pick you up at 6pm this evening. Casual attire.

Her phone started ringing as she was getting ready to close it. It was Natalie wondering if they could meet for lunch today. Samantha thought it sounded like a great idea and the girls planned a time to meet at Natalie's work. She said goodbye, put down her phone and headed for the shower.

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Brett was over the moon when he read Samantha's message. There was a carnival in town and so he was hoping that a mixture of their childhood and the man he was today would be enough to convince her that they belonged together.