I glance around the room, trying to find him, but he’s nowhere in sight.
Did he leave? How can someone as big as him disappear without anyone noticing?
My chest fills with disappointment.
“He came,” River reassures him.
“And he wanted you to know he’s super proud, but he had to get home. He has to be up early for work tomorrow,” Caroline adds.
At least part of it isn’t a lie.
He is proud of Sam.
I just don’t know why he walked away…again.
I push away my dismay and slap on the biggest smile I can rally, hoping nobody notices how bogus it really is.
We all make plans to meet at The Gravy Train for a celebratory dinner, then head for our cars.
“Mom, what’s that on the car?”
I squint, trying to make out what Sam’s pointing to.
“No clue.”
He runs ahead, excited and curious.
“It’s a rose! And a note!” he yells. “But they got the wrong car. It’s not your name on it.”
With shaky fingers,I pluck the single rose from Sam and read the attached note.
Tonight, my sweet Juliet.
There’s a flutter of excitement in my belly and an ache of longing in my heart.
Nolan.
I still want him.
“Why are you smiling? Should we find Juliet so she can get her rose?”
She already has it.
20
Nolan
It’s just after 10 PM when I finally conjure up the courage to shut my truck off.
I stare up at Maya’s new apartment building through the windshield. All the lights are off, and I have no doubt she’s already snuggled in her bed.
I push open my door, and it creaks loudly in the otherwise quiet night.
On unsteady legs, I carry myself around the back of her complex, which backs up to a beautiful view of the same lake I once took a naked dive into in freezing temperatures just to prove a point.
That’s why I’m here tonight too—to prove a point.
To prove to her I’m in love with her and I don’t want to keep giving up on people before they can give up on me.