Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Six – I Could Have Handled It Better – 2

The goal was to get some sleep, eventually. It was morning. I was waiting for my mom at her favorite breakfast place. I had been here since thirty and was already on my third coffee. I only got one hour of sleep last night.

When I checked my cell this morning, I was disappointed to see that Alyssa still hadn't contacted me. I sent her a good morning text over an hour ago, but she didn't reply.

“Hrlin,” I hear from behind me.

I pull myself together and stand to greet her.

“Hello, Mom,” I say and hug her quickly. She happily hugs back, and we take our seats. She orders a celeriac.

“Is everything okay, son? It’s very unusual for you to request we meet for breakfast with barely any notice.” I can hear the concern in her voice.

I sigh, “I think I’ve messed up with Alyssa.”

“What happened? Please tell me you didn’t break up with her or cheat?” she asks softly.

I shake my head, “No, nothing like that. I would never cheat on her.”

“Then what happened? Talk to me, Wyatt.”

She knows I don’t open up so easily. She places her hand over mine and nods, encouraging me to talk. I take a deep breath and explain what happened.

“I can’t help but wonder if maybe Alyssa doesn’t feel as strongly for me as I do for her.” I finish, sadly.

“Wyatt, just because she isn’t ready to move in with you doesn’t mean she doesn’t feel the same way. You shouldn’t have left, son. You should have stayed and spoken to her.”

“No, it wouldn’t have been. It was a big step for you. Please, don’t let her answer make you rethink everything. Alyssa is…”

“What makes you think she doesn’t love you? I am not one who usually falls in love,” I whisper.

“Have you told one another ‘I love you’ yet?”

She raises her brow, “Don’t even try to deny it. I see the way you look at her. If you weren’t in love with her, you wouldn’t have asked her to move in. You wouldn’t be taking her rejection so badly.”

“I can’t be in love.”

“Wyatt, in everything you need. The use of ‘I love you’ is hard, and so is trust for you, but you don’t need to be scared with Alyssa. She isn’t going to hurt or leave you. She is good for you. How can I help you heal? She is already doing that. Don’t let her go. It would be something you would regret.” She says, squeezing my hand.

I feel better about her. Everything will fall into place.

“I don’t want to lose her. It would…”

“Then tell her how you really feel, Wyatt. She feels the same. You can’t expect her to move in with you if she doesn’t know how you really feel, how it’s supposed to be.” She smiles and pulls her hand away.

She’s right in everything she has said. It all makes sense to me. I was too soon for her, and I can be…

“You won’t be. I can see it. Alyssa feels the exact same way. You two belong together.”

I sighed and ran my finger through my hair, “I will, I promise.”

“Good, because the two of you are meant for one another.” She says confidently.

“You are welcome. I am here anytime you need. Alyssa is good for you. She has made you a better version of yourself. A happier version.”

She has changed me for the better. She has made me a better man.

“I am glad you are, finally, truly happy for the first time in your life.”

“Me too. Should we order breakfast now?”

She nods, and we place our order. After talking with my mom, I feel better. I will fix things with Alyssa today.