Page 26 of The Best of Us

I scrambled out of bed so fast I nearly face-planted on the floor, tangled in the sheets.

Gripping the sheet around me like a toga, I ran into the living room, breathless, praying.

But he wasn’t there. The noise had come from my drunk friends.

The terrace door was open, and Lizzy and Josie stood outside by the pool, champagne in hand, laughing without a care in the world.

“Where is he?” I sputtered, fighting back tears.

“Who?” Josie asked around a hiccup, drinking champagne from the bottle.

Lizzy snatched a napkin stuck to the bottom of the bottle and flung it toward the pool.

As I stepped outside, my gaze landed on the napkin midair.

There was writing on it.

I may have lost my mind and my sheet, but I maneuvered between them, lunging forward and jumping into the shallow end.

“Jules! What is wrong with you?” Lizzy yelled as I snatched the napkin from the water, holding it up, dripping wet, as I walked back over.

Josie squatted next to me. “Girl, what is up with you?”

The sun had set, but the patio lights were on, casting enough of a glow for me to see what remained of the ink on the napkin. A smeared, inky mess.

“No, no, no.” I squeezed my eyes shut and hung my head. “He left me a note, but it’s gone.”

You felt something, too. You didn’t just walk away without a word. You left me your number, and now it’s gone.

I opened my eyes, blinking back tears, desperate to salvage whatever was still legible.

Three digits of a phone number.Notthe area code.Useless.A few smudged words I could barely make out.Incredible. Change. Strangers.At the end of the message, one letter had survived.

C.

The letter stood out like a beacon of hope I refused to let go of.

“Babe, what’s going on?” Lizzy asked as Josie helped me out of the water.

I ignored her. “What time is it?”

Lizzy gave me a funny look, then checked her phone. “Nine-ish.”

There might be time.“The airport’s only ten minutes away. Maybe I can catch him?”

“Catchwho?” Josie called after me as I bolted inside.

“I need the car keys for the rental. I’m going after him!”

“Um, girl, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Lizzy said from behind, “but maybe put some clothes on first?”

* * *

One Month Later - Anchorage, Kentucky

I’d spent two days bawling my eyes out. Forty-eight hours of taking test after test to confirm what couldn’t possibly be true.I’m pregnant.

My hand trembled as I picked up my phone and flipped it open. I had no plans to call my best friends or parents—not yet at least. There was only one person I was convinced could help.

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