“What’s happening?” I heard Leah ask.
“I just got a note that said to look outside my door.” I put my ear against the door, hearing nothing.
Nervous anticipating roiled in my gut, unsure what I should do. I glanced down at my phone and gave a wan smile. “Thank you all, truly, but I think I’m going to hang up.” I moved to end the call when a chorus erupted:
“No!”
“Wait!”
“I want to know what happens!”
I hesitated, looking at Leah and her friends, no wait, that’s not right, looking atmy friends.My friends who didn’t judge me when I told them I read romance. My friends who didn’t judge me when I told them I was in a relationship with a twenty-four-year-old guy. My friends who dropped what they were doing on a Friday afternoon to talk to me about a fight I’d had with my boyfriend.
I quickly glanced at the door, wondering if Jace was right outside, and quieted my voice. “Ok, but I reserve the right to hang up on your faces depending on what I find.”
Taking a deep breath in and out, I opened the door to find an empty hallway. Peeking around the corner, I saw the stairs were also empty. Inexplicable disappointment filled me. I looked down then, only to discover a pile of books at my feet.
Squatting to take a closer look, I gasped and covered my mouth.
It was many of the books I’d read over the past six weeks; bits of scratch paper were sticking out randomly within some of the book’s pages. At the bottom of the pile was an envelope with my name written in capital letters.
“What is it?” Leah whispered.
“I’m not sure yet, hold on.”
I quickly maneuvered picking up the stack of books without dropping my phone, closing the door, then placing everything on my bed. With a trembling hand, I pulled two notes out of the envelope.
Polly,
“Read it out loud!”
I cleared my throat, reading aloud this time.
Polly,
I know you probably don’t want to hear from me yet. I only have two things to say.
First, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have broken your trust. You are this gift that came into my life when I wasn’t expecting it, not knowing you’d be exactly what I needed. If you give me another chance, I promise I’ll be more careful with your heart.
Second, how would you like the kids to be picked up? I’m happy to pick them up and bring them back here. I enclosed a reply note for your convenience.
Love, Jace
I pulled out the second note as I listened to the suddenly very loud women on the other side of my phone screen.
“He’s a keeper!”
“I’ve never gotten a note like that.”
“Marry him and have his babies!”
I read the second note to myself, sniffling and laughing by the time I finished.
“What’s so funny?”
“Show us!”
Unable to suppress my goofy smile, I turned the note over to show them.
