Ch. Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 21 Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 21

Chapter 11 

Year later, I flew back for a solo exhibition. 

Called it Self Echo. 

Opening night was packed with press and designers. 

I stood by my pieces doing interviews. 

Reporter asked: “Ms. Hart, we heard you turned down opportunities abroad for a relationship. Any regrets?” 

I thought about it. 

“Nope. Every experience made me who I am. But if I could do it again? I’d pick myself way sooner.” 

Interview wrapped. I spotted Brendan in the corner. 

Dark coat. He was standing outside the crowd. 

Even quieter than a year ago. 

No flowers. No gift. Just watching. 

I could’ve ignored him. 

But I didn’t. 

I walked over. 

“Hey.” 

His eyes moved. Voice rough. “Hey,” 

Two feet between us. 

Close. 

But it felt like miles. 

He looked at the photo of Echo on the wall. 

Chapter 11 

This time I didn’t stay quiet. 

“Yeah.” 

His head snapped up. 

I met his eyes. Steady. 

“If you’d come back the first time I was disappointed? It would’ve been different.” 

“If you’d made it home for my birthday? Different.” 

“If you’d actually asked why when I said we were done-instead of laughing about a bag? Different.” 

“But Brendan, there’s no ‘if.’ You didn’t miss one moment. You missed every single chance I gave you.” 

His face drained. 

I didn’t say more. 

I turned toward the lights. 

He didn’t follow. 

Group photo. Flashes everywhere. 

I stood center and smiled easy. 

Later Sarah told me Brendan sat outside till closing. 

He was staring at the exhibition poster. Eyes wrecked. 

Security had to tell him to leave. 

Before he left, he bought a postcard from the merch table. Echo print. 

The back had a line I’d written: 

Love isn’t waiting for someone to hear you. It’s finally hearing yourself. 

He put it in his wallet. 

Some kind of late memorial. 

None of my business anymore. 

Chapter 11 

After the show closed, I flew back to Paris. 

Before takeoff, Sarah texted. 

Let me know when you land. 

Will do. 

You coming back to the States again? 

I looked out at the clouds. 

Yeah. But not for anyone. Just ’cause I want to. 

The plane took off. 

The city shrank below. 

I thought about Brendan at seven. Standing in front of me saying he’d protect me. 

He meant it then. 

At eighteen saying he loved me. He meant that too. 

Losing me later? That was also real. 

I don’t deny the past. 

I’m just not stuck in it anymore. 

I used to put all my hope in one person. 

I waited for him to remember what I liked. 

I waited for him to keep promises. 

I waited to be his priority. 

It took me too long to learn: loving yourself is the real romance. 

As for Brendan? 

Too little too late. 

My future doesn’t include him.