Page 3 of You Found Me

“Hey, you two head on back,” Piper said with a little wave. “I’ll be there in a few minutes. I need to collect on a bet. Blake thought we’d be done an hour ago.”

Piper made her way to him, her expression shifting from fan-appropriate happiness to something softer.

It was only a matter of time before Blake popped the question because he’d already asked Della to help him pick out the ring.

“Oh for heaven’s sake,” Mattie said. “Adam’s been trapped by a reporter again. You go on ahead, Del. I’ll be back in a minute.”

Della watched her go, feeling a little left out.

She was surrounded by people, but she stood alone. Everyone had something to do, or somewhere to be. Everyone was paired up.

Except for her.

It stung. Just a little.

She shook her shoulders to rid herself of the negative thought and slipped down the hall toward the dressing room alone.

At least she could have first dibs on the shower.

When she opened the door, she was greeted by the sight and scent of dozens of red roses. An enormous vase full of them sat on her make-up table, blocking the mirror.

She stopped to sniff one, appreciating the sweet gesture, but knew they weren’t for her. Adam or Blake must have put them in the wrong place.

She glanced down and noticed a plain white envelope propped up against the vase with her name on it.

Curious, she opened the envelope and pulled out a folded piece of plain white paper.

Sweet Della,

You haven’t been answering my emails. Why?

They’ve been keeping them from you, haven’t they.

You’re surrounded by leeches. They drain your soul. Your light.

I’m sorry to say I’m a little disappointed in you for punching Blake. That’s not how a lady behaves, sweetheart. He didn’t deserve your anger or your frustration. He’s a good man.

But I suppose I can understand that you were having a hard time. You lashed out. You have passion, and no one to share it with.

I get that. More than you know.

I see you.

I see how alone you are. How sad. How desperately you long for something more.

It’s obvious in the way you dress. Those skimpy, ridiculous outfits you wear on stage scream for attention. The dark blue one shows too much. I could see that lace thong underneath. I hate that. I don’t want anyone seeing your lovely body but me. You can understand that, right?

Soon you’ll never have to wear things like that ever again.

You’ve been lost for a long time. You need to be protected. Guided. I can show you a better way.

I know you want that, too.

The balcony of that overpriced penthouse in that filthy city wasn’t safe, my love. I’m glad you sold it. LA is the right place for us. You were made for sunshine.

The sadness on your face in the elevator at The Grand last night said everything.

You want a family.

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