I laid my head against his chest, and he held me close. ‘I will not cry,’ I admonished myself in silence. He wanted to know what was bothering me and why I was sad. I hesitated to tell him at first. I didn’t want to lose him as well, for he was a possible future and potential love. However, as a test of his strength and faith in me, I told him the truth.

“I had been seeing someone when I met you. He wasn’t a boyfriend. It was simply a sex thing. In time I fell in love with him. Then he told me was married.”

He stared at me with those vibrant blue eyes and calmly said, “Men are jerks. I’m sorry it happened to you. I should have been there for you.” With that, he pulled me close to him.

Suddenly my world felt a bit calmer, knowing he was around. I knew I couldn’t love him at the moment but I needed him. It seemed forever that I could admit I needed anyone at all, feeling mostly self assured. Lately that had changed and I’ve had zero confidence in myself and my future.

He took my hand and held it close to his heart. “Do not worry about a thing. I will try not to be so busy that I don’t have time for you. Everything will be okay.”

He kissed me gently and I felt his heart beat faster. I knew I had found someone special.