Page 92 of The Last Dance

24

Where I Want To Be

Henry

The record I had framed wasn’t ready for her birthday but it is today. I’m kind of glad it wasn’t ready because I think yesterday ended up perfect as it was. There is definitely something more there now than there ever has been. She was just Ambri. The Ambri I’ve known since I was sixteen years old, making up ridiculous nicknames and laughing at life. I realized when I saw her face last night that she’s definitely still my person. The way she looked at me as I made a complete fool of myself in front of the entire room for her was the only thing I saw. I was a nervous wreck, until I saw her smile.

We danced for hours last night. Laughed, talked, and laughed some more. Nothing clouded the air around us and for a little while we just were. I can’t let her go again.

I call her number, turning my desk chair towards the windows behind me and staring into the city streets. Please answer, Ambri.

‘Hi.’ Hearing her voice makes my insides swirl.

‘Hey. So… I have a late birthday gift for you.’

‘You don’t have to get me anything else, Henry. What you did last night was totally enough.Trustme.’ I can practically hear her smile.

‘I know I don’t have to, but I think you’ll love this.’ I hesitate before my next request. Only because of what happened last time. We are a couple days late to do the whole Rory remembrance thing at the Rose Garden, but I know she loves it there and it’s about time we made a new memory to replace the last time we were there.

‘I was thinking of going to the Rose Garden tonight. I know how much you love it there and I haven’t been since I’ve been back – maybe you want to meet me there?’ I hold my breath as her end of the phone is silent.

‘Sure,’ she says with hesitation in her voice. ‘Six?’

‘I’ll see you there.’

‘I can’t wait.’

I end the call, leaning my head back against my chair and trying to breathe. She can’t wait. Me either. This is the beginning of the rest of my plan and even if there is a chance I might not be who she wants, I have to risk it. She deserves to at least know exactly how I feel.

*

She’s there when I pull in. Sitting on the bench at the edge of the garden alone, staring out into the city as the sun sets. I watch her pull her hair over her right shoulder as she leans back, closing her eyes for a moment. How did I not see her like this before?

I take a deep breath, grabbing the record from the passenger seat and making my way through the garden towards her.

‘Hey…’ I say as I am close enough for her to hear me. I hold the framed record out for her. She smiles.

‘That’swhat Claire wanted it for.’ She takes it from me, staring into the glass and running her fingers over Brad’s signature. ‘I’m sorry I sent it back. I… It was easier for me to pretend you never existed.’

I nod, sitting down next to her. ‘I know exactly what you mean.’

She sits the record on the ground next to her, leaning it against the leg of the bench. ‘I never could forget you, though. You were always here.’ She puts her hand over her heart. ‘Just under the surface.’

‘So, the same place you were for me?’ I clear my throat, getting more nervous by the second to be sitting next to her again.

She smiles. ‘Thank you again for last night. You made yesterday…’ she hesitates ‘… perfect.’

‘You make every day perfect for me. You always have.Thatwas the us I remember.’

‘I know.’ She smiles and her entire face lights up. Actually, my entire world lights up. ‘You know, I still come here, every month, but not on the fifteenth.’

I sit back on the bench, staring out at the city with her next to me. ‘Well, I promise not to lose it like the last time.’ I can feel her glance to me. ‘That was a hard day, Ambri. I think I’ve finally let her go, though. I’ll never forget her, but I’m not letting her run my life anymore.’ I look over at her. ‘I’m sorry she did for so long.’

‘You’re talking to the one person who actually gets it.’ She nervously laughs. ‘You might have run from her, but I never could. Ihadto deal with it.’ She sighs, looking back out at the city below us. ‘I feel better about things now that it’s been a few years. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’ll never forget her. She’s my sister for life. She’s in every sunset I look at.’ She looks over at me with a hesitant smile before looking back out at the setting sun. ‘I always wonder if she’s with me like she said she would be. You know?’

‘I’ve no doubt she is.’

She nods, biting her lip to keep away the tears.

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