Page 117 of Third Time Lucky

‘Well, I needed to talk to him,’ I tell her.

‘I know,’ she says as if she does indeed know, but I didn’t tell, so it had to be Ash. ‘He left something for you in your room.’

My stomach flips with excitement. I hope it’s himself. I rush past Mitzi toward my room like a teenager in love and push open the door, but the room is dark. I flip on a light near my bed, and as the soft glow fills the room, my eyes land on a bouquet and a handwritten note resting on my bed.

I grab the note, written on a simple piece of white lined paper torn from a spiral notebook. Anticipation buzzes through me as I delicately unfold it and reveal a page half-filled with his handwritten words.

Luce,

Originally, the card to these said, ‘I’m sorry.’ But when you didn’t show up for dinner tonight, I stared at that empty chair, feeling like my heart was missing and knew I needed more than two words – so here are many.

I love catching you admiring me with those beautiful golden-brown eyes.

I love that I have no idea what I thought about all the time before you.

I love that your smile lights up my world.

I love your laugh; your voice has become my favorite sound.

I love how you react to my food (or any food).

I love that you hold me accountable and make me a better man.

I love that I thought I knew what love was – until you.

I love that I’ve become a morning person because I can’t wait to see you.

I guess I’m trying to say that you stole my entire heart, and today, I’ve decided to let you keep it. I love you like the moon loves the night, the sun loves the morning, and if you let me, I will love you until the end of time.

Please call me. I’m not too proud to beg.

PS – I love that I’ve never written a love note – until you.

Ash

I sink onto the edge of the bed, my heart swelling with emotion as I read and reread Ash’s words. Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I clutch the note to my chest, feeling overwhelmed and incredibly loved in a way I’ve never experienced – he means every single word of this, and for a guy who claims to have never written a love note, he nailed it.

I reach for my phone, my fingers trembling slightly as I dial his number. The phone rings barely once before he picks up – like he’s been waiting for me.

‘Luce,’ he exhales with relief.

‘Thank you,’ I say, my voice barely above a whisper so he doesn’t realize he has me in tears over here – happy tears. ‘I got your note.’

‘I meant every single word.’

‘And I adored all of them.’

‘Also, you should know that Aaron and I had words. You were right; as a man, I should be stepping up when one of my friends, or my brother, acts like a jerk, especially if it triggers old wounds in the woman I love.’

The woman he loves – me. I think my heart may explode into fireworks if he keeps talking.

‘You did?’ I reply, feeling my heart flutter at his sincerity.

‘I did.’

‘Was it bad?’

‘No. It was needed.’

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