This story takes place in the summer of 1999. Ryan and Gillian
are still divorced and she and Jake have begun a
relationship of sorts. Ryan and Gillian have maintained a
friendship, but things are still a bit awkward
between them. Most other things in Pine Valley remain the same.
“ I just really think you should give it some thought, Ryan.”
“Hayley, how many times do we have to go over this?” Ryan asked, exasperated.
“How many ever it takes before you tell the truth! You still love
her, Ryan. You
can’t tell me that it doesn’t bother you to see her with Jake,” Hayley
countered.
Ryan looked down at the S.O.S. bar where he had been re-shelving
glasses. “We don’t even know that she is with Jake,” he said quietly.
“They sure looked pretty friendly at my wedding,” Hayley said gently.
Ryan’s mind drifted back to the day Hayley and Mateo finally became man and
wife. Gillian looked so beautiful in her bridesmaid dress. Her hairsoft,
falling down
around her shoulders......But, she wasn’t his....She wasn’t his........
“It’s not really any of my business,” Ryan said. “At least, not anymore. And,
Jake’s a nice guy. He’ll be good to her.”
“And, what about you?”
“It’s not important, Hayley. All that matters is that Gillian is
happy.” Ryan said.
Hayley looked across the bar at him incredulously.
“So, that’s it?!”
“Yep.”
“That’s what you want? For Gillian to fall in love with Jake and
forget all aboutyou?”
“It would be the best thing for Gillian to forget I ever existed,” Ryan said
adamantly, making it clear that the subject was closed.
“All right. All right,” Hayley relented. “But, Ryan, the time will
come when it’llbe too late. I just hope you won’t be sorry when it does.”
Ryan shivered at Hayley’s dark words. He quickly shook off the sensation and
lifted up the bar so he could leave.
“It’s late. I’ve got to go,” Ryan said and walked out the door.
