“Thanks, Sarge.” I nodded. “I really appreciate you saying that.”
“Can I give you a piece of advice, though?”
“Please do.”
“Invest in other aspects of your life, too,” Sarge replied. “Your personal life being one of them.”
I smiled. “Actually…I have.”
“Oh?”
“Her name is Megan.”
“And, this is the girl whose brother is your friend?”
“That’s the one.” I nodded.
“The friendship wasn’t worth missing the opportunity to date her, huh?”
“Not even a little bit,” I said. “She’s definitely worth losing Brent over—in fact, that might happen either way. But yes, we’re together now.”
“I wondered about that twinkle in your eye.”
The blush on my cheeks shocked me, and I hurried to cover it up with an embarrassed cough. “Is there a twinkle?” I asked, keeping my voice even.
“I think so… There’s new light.”
“This girl is special,” I said. “She brings the light.”
“Sounds like a keeper.”
I laughed nervously. “I’m still nervous to bring her into my world—it’s not a perfect one.”
“Whose is?” he asked. “The point is that she’s your priority.”
“She is.” I nodded. “And she understands about my job.”
“Are you living with her?” Sarge asked.
“Uh…no.”
“Living with her is the only way to know if she’ll truly be able to handle this life.”
“I suppose you’re right,” I nodded. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“How did you know that your wife…was the one?”
“I wish I could tell you that it was one specific thing,” he replied. “But it wasn’t anything concrete. It was just this feeling of certainty I got when I was with her. I felt sure I was sitting with someone I could spend the rest of my life with. I loved her, and that made my decision easy.”
“I don’t thin
k I’ve ever been in love before.”
“Before now, you mean?”
I smiled, but didn’t answer. Was I in love? Was that what I was feeling…this intense, strong, hypnotizing feeling of falling? It was powerful enough to be love but how could I be sure I was right. How could I make a decision that would affect the rest of my life?