Page 111 of Both Sides Now

"Hey, handsome. It's been a while."

There's already a bouquet in his vase, or rather, the remainsof one. Odd. Maybe Shawn and Suzanne dropped by, or perhaps one of Charlie’s friends from work.

Either way, I appreciate the gesture.

I pull out the dead stalks, surprised when a plastic bag drops by my side.

After replacing the worn out flowers with my own, I return and sit cross-legged in the sunshine, eager to chat with Charlie.

But first, I open the plastic bag that was tucked in with the flowers.

Inside is a letter, which piques my curiosity further.

Who in the world would pen a letter to Charlie?

When I unfold the paper fully, my heart catches and I have my answer.

Keegan. I’d know his scrawl anywhere.

I glance at the stone, waving the letter. "You knew about this and didn't tell me? Do I want to read it?"

The truth? I have no damned idea. But I've always been more curious than cautious, so here goes nothing.

Charlie,

You’re likely wondering what the hell I’m doing here. I didn’t realize gravesites were considered public record. Truth is, I’ve never had any desire to look for one.

If you’ve been paying attention, which I’m sure you have, then you know I’m in love with your wife. I didn’t plan it that way. I didn’t intend for the image of her to become burned in my brain. I didn’t think I would ever meet a woman who would make me change my mind about life and love and everything.

But Callista is no ordinary woman. You know howamazing she is. After all, you married her. You loved her, too. You still love her, and she still loves you.

I want her to love me. Forever. A colleague offered me this ridiculous position on Long Island, and it’s too good to pass up. I’m asking Calli to go with me, but I needed to stop here first. Ask your permission, I suppose. I promise to love her the way she deserves, even if her stubbornness drives me absolutely insane at times. She’s worth it.

Don’t worry, I’ll give her anything she wants. All she has to do is ask because I’m a terrible mind reader, as evidenced by most of our relationship. That, and she broke my damn heart when she stormed out of our beach cottage.

Put in a kind word for me, huh? I won’t let you down.

Keegan

My tears after watching Charlie’s video were bad. These are worse. They flow from my eyes like a raging torrent, soaking my dress and the grass below. But there's a difference with these tears. They're laced with happiness. Hope. A promise that my future isn't as far off a dream as I thought.

My fingers trace over the words, and I sigh as I realize how wrong I was about Keegan. He erected the emotional wall between us to protect his heart—a heart I broke.

A heart I intend to repair if he'll grant me entrance one more time.

"You bastard," I whisper to the stone, chuckling as I place my hand against the cool marble. "You knew all along, didn’t you? Misterknow-it-all."

The breeze shifts, carrying on it another fragrant bouquet, and I have my answer.

He knows my plans and he approves.

My phone buzzes in my pocket as I walk back to my car.

It’s Shawn. Uh-oh.

"Miss me already?" I ask with a laugh.

"Check the ego, Callista." Shawn’s chuckle reverberates over the phone line. "Something you said earlier isn't sitting right with me."

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