Page 47 of All In
“You’ve got mail.”
There’s no way.
What is she doing up at this hour?She has a baby, you idiot.
I race back into the office and practically fall back into the chair. The wheels slide across the plastic carpet covering. I adjust myself, and staring back at me is a new email from Maria. Without a second to think, I click on it, the anticipation killing me.
Date: July 2, 2004 05:01 am
From: [email protected]
Subject: re: Hey!
Hi Sam!
I have to admit, seeing your email was a shock. And yes, I can meet with you, but the only time I can is today, actually. We are going out of town in two days.
Would that work for you? I don’t know what your plans are, but I’m taking Brielle for a walk in the park at one. She has a hard time napping, so this has been our routine.
Let me know if that works for you. I usually go to rose garden at Mill Creek Park.
Talk to you soon,
Love,
Maria
I can’t stop the huge grin that stretches across my face because this time is perfect. My mom wants to take Erica shopping and out to lunch so they can spend some more time together and get to know each other.
Without time to think or second-guess whether this is a good idea, I compose my response.
Chapter seventeen
The Park
Maria
Well, this day took a turn I wasn’t expecting.
While I was up at the crack of dawn this morning, nursing Brielle and checking our flights online, I heard the familiar notification of an incoming email.
From Sam.
The surprise made my heart leap out of my throat. Once I opened it and read it, I reread it again. Then a third time because I was in shock. Sam was emailing me, and he’s in town.
And he wants to see me.
The spike of adrenaline I got when I read his words reminded me of the excitement I felt opening his written letters. I mean, of course I would meet him. This could be a chance to catch up, and I can properly apologize for hurting him the way that I did.
So, without a second to think, I replied.
And now here I am, standing at the entrance to the pavilion at Mill Creek, the warmth of the sun on my skin as I wait for him to show. The longing I have to see him has turned my head into a furnace. As I run my hands down my flaredtan dress slacks, I can’t help but wonder if I look okay. It took me the longest time trying to decide what to wear.
With a ton of pent-up energy, I shuffle my feet, the strain of the pointy four-inch heels I’m wearing pinching my toes. My perfectly pressed white button-down blouse is driving me crazy, with its pristine fabric clinging to my body in the heat. My hair, pulled back into a neat chignon, offers a welcome relief from the sweltering temperature. That doesn’t stop a bead of sweat from running down my back. Honestly, this whole getup is suffocating on a scorching day like today, but Nate always insists his wife look flawless at all times.
His words, not mine. I kid you not.
