Chapter 15 - THE WOMAN GAVIN ALMOST DATED
Three months before divorce finalized, Gavin met Elena Walsh, thirty-nine, a healthcare attorney from Boston, at a conference.
Smart.
Divorced.
No kids.
They had dinner after panel.
Then drinks.
Chemistry.
She knew his public family story only vaguely.
He told enough.
At end Elena said:
“I’m interested in you.”
Gavin appreciated direct.
“I’m still legally married.”
“Separated?”
“Yes.”
“Emotionally?”
He laughed.
“That’s complicated.”
“Then don’t date me yet.”
He respected.
They exchanged numbers but little.
After divorce finalized, he called.
They dated four months.
Adult relationship.
Warm.
Physical eventually.
No secrecy.
Monica knew because co-parenting.
She was jealous.
Gavin knew because she admitted in therapy.
“Part of me wants her ugly.”
He laughed.
“She isn’t.”
“Helpful.”
Elena did not meet Tyler for three months.
When she did, Tyler was polite and suspicious.
“Are you Dad’s girlfriend?”
“Yes.”
“Are you replacing Mom?”
“No.”
“Good.”
Elena respected boundaries.
Yet Gavin discovered something.
He liked Elena.
He did not love her the way he loved Monica.
That alone was not reason to return.
But it mattered.
Elena sensed.
One night she said:
“You look at me like you’re trying to prove you can have normal life.”
Gavin felt exposed.
“Is that bad?”
“For me, yes.”
They ended respectfully.
Monica did not know details.
Gavin did not run back.
May you like
He needed choose, not rebound.
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