Page 37 of One Night

My Dearest Amber, I write, being overly dramatic, hoping it'll make her laugh. Am I supposed to be funny or serious? Can I be both? I have no idea how to write a letter. I've never actually written one. Or does email count? If so, I'm not very good at writing emails so I'll probably suck even more at letters.

I continue. Thank you for the letter. I appreciate your honesty and hold no ill will toward you regarding what happened after that night.

Ill will? Who talks like that? Writing this old-fashioned letter is making my thoughts come out like an old man. But Amber said she wanted a gentleman so maybe she'll think my formal words are gentleman-like.

I look back at her letter to address the comments she made.

As for my relationship status, I'm currently single. I recently parted ways with the girl I was seeing. She wasn't the right girl for me. The right girl, the girl I want, is you, and has been since the night we met.

Shit, that's too much. Too over-the-top. Even though it's true, it might scare her off. I go to erase it but then realize I can't. I could cross it out but that would look sloppy and ruin the mood. I decide to just leave it. If I want this girl, I can't hold back. I have to let her know how I feel.

I want this, Amber. I want to try and see where this could go. I've never experienced anything like that night and I want to experience it again. I know you think that's not possible but I think it is. I think we could be even better than that night. And as for the romance and taking it slow, I don't think you're crazy. Okay, maybe a little crazy, but I'll do whatever it takes to see you again. When can we meet? I'm here all weekend so give me a call.

I really want to see you. Get to know you.

And continue our story.

Love Always, Dylan

I fold up the letter, stuff it in the envelope, and lick it closed before I change my mind about what I wrote. I tried not to overthink it and just let the words flow, but now I'm thinking I might've said too much. I don't usually expose that much of myself this early in a relationship, but the fact that I did shows how much closer I feel to Amber than the other girls I've been with.

A half hour later, I've delivered the letter to Amber's apartment and am back at the house. I can't sleep so I go downstairs and play One Night on my guitar, thinking of that night. Thinking of Amber. And hoping that one night will lead to so much more.

Chapter Ten

Amber

"He wrote me a letter!" I squeal as I wave it in the air. It's Saturday morning and as I was walking to the kitchen, I saw something wedged under the door.

Kira runs up to me. "Who are you talking about? Who wrote you a letter?"

"Dylan!" I look at her. "You were there last night. You know I left him a letter. Why are you pretending you didn't?"

She shrugs. "I wanted it to be a surprise."

"So you knew he was writing me back?"

"Yeah. Your letter got there just as Austin and I were getting ready to leave."

"And?" I grab the sleeve of her oversized sweatshirt. "What was his reaction?"

"He was shocked. He got all intense as he read the letter, and then he burst from his chair and started searching for paper so he could write you back. But he couldn't find the right kind of paper so he took off to buy some."

"That late at night?"

She smiles. "I told you he still likes you. He more than likes you. He's crazy about you. He said it couldn't be just any paper. It had to be good paper. Old-fashioned paper."

"He really said that?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Because that's what I told him. I said it had to be written on nice paper. I can't believe he remembered. That was so long ago."

"But that doesn't look like paper." She points to the envelope. "It looks like a card."

"He probably couldn't find stationary paper. They only sell it at specialty stores."

"Are you going to open it?"

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