A Heart's Desire

Chapter 17

Samantha was not asleep as she sat in the chair next to Declan, holding his hand. She heard the buzz of her phone and picked it up. It was a text message from Brett asking her to read an email he sent.

She opened the icon on her phone that looked like an envelope and found the email from Brett. She clicked it on and sat back in her chair as she read his words.

Tears formed in her eyes as she read. She knew Brett was sorry for how things turned out when they were younger but she also knew that she didn't want to move forward in a relationship with him. She needed to have a conversation with him.

She opened his text message and composed a reply.

I think we should talk. Can you meet me in 20 mins at the park beside the hospital?

She sent it and waited for the response.

Yes, I'll be there.

She got up from the chair and walked over to Declan's bed. She leaned down and kissed him on the forehead.

"There is something I have to take care of. I won't be long. I love you."

Samantha grabbed her purse and headed out.

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"Samantha."

She heard Brett call her name as she sat on one of the benches waiting for him. He walked over to her with a small smile on his face.

"How are you holding up?" He asked as he sat down beside her and gave her a sideways hug.

"Not too bad. I think he is finally out of the woods so now it's just a waiting game for him to wake up. I read your email."

"Natalie came to see me this morning and told me what was going on so of course I wanted to make sure you were ok." He looked into her eyes as his hand reached for hers, "I understand why you want to be by his side and..."

Just then Samantha leaned back and pulled her hand away. "Brett, I have to tell you something. I have to be honest with you and with myself."

"Tell me what?" Brett placed his arms down beside his body and knew that what she had to say would not be good. He sat there staring at her, wishing her to not say the words he knew were coming.

"I have made my decision and I have decided to be with Declan."

Brett felt like her words had just punched him in the gut. He felt all the air drain out of his body as he tried to concentrate on what she had just told him.  "But last night," he said, still staring at her, "we had an amazing time last night. It felt like old times, like the way it was."

"I agree. Last night was special and it did feel like old times but I think that was the problem."

"The problem!" Brett now was sounding defensive.

"We had our chance and I will never forget what we meant to each other. You were my first love and not many girls get to say how amazing their first was. I will cherish every moment we had together but I don't believe we belong together now."

"Wait a second. I felt the passion between us last night. You can't sit there and deny it." Brett started to raise his voice a little. He quickly looked around and was thankful that no one was near them.

"I'm not exactly denying it. I just think that the feelings we felt last night were from the past and it's not something to build a relationship on. Which is why I had to stop what started in your living room. I realized that I did it because something told me it wasn't right. It didn't feel right. I don't think we are meant to spend our lives together. I'm sorry."