Page 58 of Forever Love-Reimagined

I was supposed to see Blake yesterday, but I wouldn’t have been good company, and Haley came back early because she had another fallout with Adam. So, by the time I comforted her, I had forgotten about my own issues, and it seemed like a better idea to talk to Blake when I had a fresh mind.

But since I was upset about canceling, I had flowers sent to her office—lilies—her favorite. I hoped it would make up for my absence. I also wanted to do something special for her tonight, so on the card, I invited her to my place for dinner.

The flowers should have been delivered by now, but I hadn’t heard from her. Maybe she was waiting for me to call or text first? Before deciding what to do, I heard the bells above the door up front ring.

“Excuse me. Hi, I don’t know you, but you’re fabulous, and I was wondering if you could help me.”

Someone was talking, and they sounded familiar, but I wasn’t sure who it was. I figured I’d hang out in the back and let Haley get rid of them.

“Aww, thank you!” she gushed, and after this weekend, that compliment probably meant even more. “How can I be of service?”

“So, I’m looking for someone. Her name is Leia, and I have something vital to deliver to her.”

“Oh my God. Is she being sued? Are you trying to serve her?” Haley and her extremes.

“Honey, no. I’m a friend of Blake’s, and I’m on a mission. Is she here?”

“Yeah, she’s in the?—”

I finally joined them up front when I recognized the voice. “Ty, what’s going on? Is she?—”

“Thank baby Jesus. I was afraid you wouldn’t be here, and I’d have to put on my private dick hat to track you down.”

“Why did she send you? Is she hurt? Or upset?” Now, it was my turn to imagine the worst.

“Is there something in the air here? Why are you two wound so tight? Take this.” He handed me an envelope that had my name on it with a heart dotting the i.

“What is this? Did she get my?—.”

He clapped his hands together like he was brushing them off. “Look, my job is done. I assume you can figure it out when you open it. Ciao, ladies.” He blew us a kiss and gave Haley a tiger growl, which she blushed and giggled at, and then he left.

“Who’s Ty? He seems fun.”

“He’s Blake’s best friend, and he definitely grows on you.” Even though I had only met him once before, from the way Blake talked about him, he was someone we could trust.

“What are you waiting for? Open it up. Let’s see what he brought you.” Haley squealed like a kid on Christmas day, and I was glad to see her in better spirits after yesterday.

It was hard seeing her upset about Adam yet again. She had told me they made up this morning, but I worried he would keep disappointing her. However, that wasn’t my choice to make, so I kept my mouth shut and continued to be a supportive friend.

Since she seemed to include herself in this, I didn’t want to tell her no. So I opened the envelope and pulled out a piece of paper. In typed letters, it said:

GO TO THE STORE WHERE YOU GET YOUR TEA,

RIGHT OUTSIDE IS WHERE YOU FIRST MET ME.

“Oh my God! Oh my God!” Haley squealed in a voice that dogs could probably hear.

“What are we ‘Oh my Godding’?” I could tell it was a riddle, but I didn’t understand what it was for.

“Do you seriously not know? It’s a scavenger hunt. She’s sending you to places that meant something in the relationship, only to end with you finding the prize.”

That sounded sweet. I wondered if it was in response to my flowers. “What’s the prize?”

“That’s what we’ll figure out once we go to Tea-Riffic?” Again, it seemed she was already along for the ride with or without my permission.

Her expression was so full of hope and excitement that I didn’t want to bring her down.

“All right. Turn the sign to ‘closed,’ and let’s go.” I set the alarm and locked the door. I wasn’t sure where this would take me or how long I’d be, but I guess I’d find out.

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