Page 50 of By the Letter

Her laughter was a rebuke in itself. “Not even close. It’s silly.”

“I doubt it. Tell me about it.”

She rubbed her lips together then sighed. “I found that picture on the floor of a post office when I was nine or ten. My mom told me it was a passport photo. I thought the guy was cute, so I kept it. Then I started making up stories about where he might’ve been going with his new passport. I’ve carried it with me ever since. I like to think of all the adventures he’s been on over the last twenty years. I hope he’s had a nice life.”

“That’s…” I was at a loss for words.

“I told you, it’s silly. It’s sort of become a hobby of mine. I pick up things people drop, like receipts, business cards, invitations, that kind of thing, and make up stories in my head about them. This picture is the only thing I’ve saved, though.”

Her fingers were fast, but I didn’t miss her shoving back the condom I kept in my wallet as habit.

“It’s probably expired.”

Her eyes shot up to mine. “For a man who recently had a condom mishap, you’re living on the edge.”

I chuckled, enjoying how easily Shira surprised me. “I’ve carried one in my wallet since I was a teenager. Most expired before they were used.”

“Okay,” she murmured, slapping my wallet shut. “I’m done snooping.”

“All right. Think I am too.”

She yawned so big her eyes squeezed closed. I took that as my cue. Tucking her wallet back in her purse, I returned it to the closet. By the time I came back to the living room, Shira was on her feet, hands hidden in the sleeves of her sweater.

“I’m going to head out.” I reached out, tugging a loose tendril of her hair. “You look like you’re dead on your feet. Get some rest.”

“I will. Thanks for the pizza, Roman.”

I looked down at her, my gut souring at the idea of this delicate woman sleeping in this house all on her own. Since she’d been alone in her last house, it was completely irrational, but I’d been less than five minutes away then. Now, we had a whole city between us, and it didn’t sit well with me. Not at all.

“If you need anything at any time, call me,” I ordered gruffly.

Shira shrank slightly but nodded. “Okay.”

“I need a key.”

“What?”

“I don’t want off the hook, Shira. You moved, but nothing’s changed. I’m going to be here every morning to deal with the litter and bring you breakfast.”

Her eyes flared, and her hands twisted her sleeves. “That’s not necessary. Truly. I have Bea, and it’s too far for you to come every day.”

“Let me be concerned with the distance. I need to do this.”

“Need?”

I nodded. “Need.”

She worried her lip for several seconds before spinning away to fetch me a key. I slipped it in my pocket and headed for the door. My arms started to lift to give her another hug, but she wasn’t crying so I didn’t think she’d welcome it.

Not yet.

Giving her hair another gentle tug, I walked out the door. The moment I heard the lock click into place, I found the nearest trash can, took out my wallet, and tossed the unneeded condom into it.

It took exactly one minute to hear from Shira after I ordered her new furniture. I found myself grinning when her name popped up on my phone.

Shira:Why did you just send me a receipt for a bed and couch?

Me:So you know to expect a delivery.

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