Free Unexpected Interruptions by Trice Hickman Page B

a long time. I can’t believe it’s you,” he said in a faint whisper.
    Victoria could hear the surprise in his voice.
    â€œI didn’t think I’d ever hear from you again. You wouldn’t accept any of my phone calls or respond to my emails, and you sent back all my letters . . . unopened,” he said.
    â€œI know, I should’ve put closure on things a long time ago, but I couldn’t. It was too hard. Too painful.”
    â€œI know. I really messed up . . . I hurt you, and I’m so sorry for that. But Vic, I loved you. I’ve never stopped loving you,” Steven said in a low voice.
    Victoria couldn’t see his face, but she could hear his longing. She hadn’t expected to feel the weight of emotions that made her heart quicken as she listened to Steven’s voice, seduced by its timbre. She had loved this man.
    â€œHow are you, Vic? Tell me what’s been going on in your life, are you seeing anyone?”
    â€œThings are going well. I bought a new house last year and I finally started my business. I’m doing it on the side because I’m still at ViaTech, but, um . . . things are good.”
    â€œThat sounds great, I’m happy for you . . . but are you seeing anyone?”
    There was another brief silence.
    â€œNo,” Victoria answered. “Actually, I haven’t dated since we broke up. That’s why I’m calling. Steven, I . . . ”
    â€œOh Vic, I knew there was still a chance for us. I’ve prayed for this day for so long. We were so good together, baby . . . remember?” Steven whispered softly. “I miss you, Vic. I miss touching you, and you touching me. I miss us,” he breathed into the phone.
    This wasn’t turning out the way Victoria had expected. His sex was her weakness. When she looked back on it, and was really honest with herself, sex was part of the reason their relationship had lasted for as long as it had. The sex had been out of this world, and it clouded a multitude of issues that arose in their path. Victoria knew she had to focus. “Steven, that’s not why I called. I just wanted to tell you that I forgive you. That’s the only way I can move on with my life.”
    â€œI don’t understand,” he said in a whisper.
    â€œWe just weren’t meant to be, and I understand that now. I’ve been angry with you to keep from being angry with myself—for a lot of different reasons. Some of which have nothing to do with you. But I’m releasing it. It’s too much to hold on to.”
    The tension drained from Victoria’s shoulders. She hadn’t realized that she’d been sitting slumped over with anxiety from the moment Steven answered the phone. But now she was sitting up straight, feeling ten pounds lighter.
    â€œBaby, you don’t mean that,” Steven said in a hushed and pleading whisper. “I still love you, Vic . . . we can work things out. I know you were angry with me, especially after what you did . . . ”
    â€œSteven, I’m not proud of what I did that night. And every time I think about it I feel sick. But you deserved it. That’s one thing that I won’t apologize for.”
    â€œBaby, I didn’t mean to bring up that whole ugly scene. It was all my fault. I know that. I just want you to give us another chance,” he begged softly.
    â€œSteven?” a female voice called out in the background. “Steven, are you on the phone?”
    â€œGive me a minute,” he yelled back in an irritated tone.
    Unbelievable! That explains all the whispering. That’s not longing, that’s bullshit! Victoria said to herself. “Listen, I see that you’re busy, so I won’t interrupt your evening any further. I just wanted to tell you that I’m not angry with you anymore.”
    â€œVic, it’s not what you think. That was my friend’s cousin. I’m letting her stay with me until she finds a