Page 324 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 1

I’m told to settle in, so I grab my case and head across the lobby to find a chair.

Sitting there minding my own business, a woman next to me says, “Is it illegal to pick poppies since it’s the state flower?”

“I don’t think so. I actually got them as a gift once.” My heart clenches around the absence that’s felt. “It was actually really sweet. He traveled all the way from California with them. They were raggedy with missing petals. Bent and broken. Still so romantic.”

“That does sound sweet. I’m trying to help my brother, actually. He wants to surprise his girlfriend.”

“That’s what I’m here for too. Well, not your brother. That would be weird, but a surprise proposal.”

“If you knew him, it wouldn’t be weird. He’s an amazing man and even better brother.”

I sit back, realizing she’s going to talk about him whether I’m a part of the conversation or she’s sitting alone. It’s endearing to hear how close they are, though.

“You sound very close. That’s sweet.”

“We are. He was the first one I called when I was in a car accident a few years back. He didn’t leave my hotel room unless we forced him out shopping.”

I close the small pad on my lap and drop it and the pen in my bag so I can give her my full attention.

“My daughter spent her first birthday in the hospital. All due to my psycho ex,” she says.

“What happened?”

“He threatened to hurt me if I didn’t get in the car. He was saying he just wanted to talk, but I shouldn’t have trusted him. I was just trying to do the right thing since Harlow’s his daughter.”

My tummy clenches. “You got in the car?”

“My brothers had warned me, but I didn’t listen.” Her eyes go to the screensaver on her phone—the cutest little dark-haired beauty. She glances at me, the emotion raw on her face as if this is a fresh memory.

“How is she doing now?”

“She’s amazing. Doesn’t remember anything, but it’s better that way. He crashed us right into a tree. He died instantly. I only survived because of my family.”

I glance back at the photo again. She has the prettiest blue eyes, and I’m reminded of . . .don’t go there. “Sounds like you got one of the good ones.”

A hotel attendant comes up to her and hands her a card key. “Ms. Decker, your room is ready.”

“Decker?” I say unable to keep my mouth shut. “I know a Harrison Decker.” I’m mastering the art of sounding like a crazy person.

Jumping to her feet, she says, “That’s my brother. Well, one of them. I have three. Wow, crazy small world.” The smile falters, and she says, “You’re Tatum.”

I stand and nod. Now I’m not sure what to say or do. My gut tells me to run, but my heart tells me to stay.

“He told me all about you,” she says, and then laughs lightly as if recalling a fond memory. “I remember him saying your soul was golden the first time he met you. That was when we were in the hospital.”

“What do you mean?”

“Talk about timing. Harry came off the best weekend of his life, and the minute the ferry docked, I called him. He spent the next three months nursing me back to health while sleeping night after night in Harlow’s hospital room. You were all he talked about. The days became weeks, and those became months.” She reaches to touch my hand wrapped around my suitcase handle. “I feel like I owe you an apology.”

“You don’t.”

“I took away his soul mate, so yeah, a lot of guilt is carried with that.”

“But we found our way back to each other,” I say without a second thought. That just rolled off my tongue so naturally.

She smiles. “He feels the same—two souls that are forever connected.” Turning to look around, she returns her gaze to mine, and she says, “It’s not too late.” I have no idea why his sister thinks that. Harrison has made it pretty clear.He wants to surprise his girlfriend.And now, he’s here to start a new life with someone else.Why does his sister think it’s not too late?It’s almost so cruel being here now. Knowing thathehas moved on.Has fallen in love with someone else.

We’ve bonded on some level, two strangers who were there for each other, so I feel a hug is in order. We embrace each other, and I whisper, “I would have done anything for your brother.”

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