Page 47 of Love Letter Lost
I waited a moment, certain they would calm down so we could talk. Instead, they took one look at my confused face and simply laughed harder.
“What is wrong with you two?” My tone was clipped and frustrated, something they seemed not to notice. My world was falling apart, and they were too busy laughing to notice.
“It was just—” Audrey choked off with another peal of laughter.
“At the restaurant, Derek—” Chloe kept laughing.
“He was saying something and then—”
This time Chloe cut Audrey off. “You forgot the part about the golf ball!”
“That came later,” Audrey shushed.
I held up my hands, completely confused and annoyed. “Are you sure the two of you don’t drink?”
Audrey and Chloe looked at each other, before bursting into laughter once more. With a sigh, I turned around and started for my bedroom. There was no way I could share what was on my mind when they were in this state, and it was late enough that I knew I would regret it if I didn’t go to sleep soon. Morning came early.
“I’m calling it a night.” I glanced over my shoulder to see the two of them trying to take deep breaths. “You can fill me in on everything in the morning.”
“Man, I’m going to miss these moments if we have to move.” Chloe’s words caused my heart to ache, but I pushed them out of my mind. My dad hadn’t decided to sell yet, and I had enough to worry about with the wedding and Ridge without anxiety over Amber’s dad’s offer.
Closing my door behind me, I walked to the bed and sat down. It had been a long day, and while my body was tired, my emotions continued racing. The time with Ridge had been wonderful. Seeing him again had reawakened feelings I thought were gone.
I reached for my notebook and opened the cover, pulling out Ridge’s letter. The familiar words swam before my eyes as I fought back tears. The ring was a clear indication Ridge no longer felt the way he had when he had written the letter. So why should I keep it, a reminder of a moment lost? I should rip it to shreds and burn the pieces, slam the door on the broken-hearted girl whose life would have changed course had the letter come only a few years sooner.
Instead, I tucked it back into the notebook and turned to a blank page, pouring out my heart once more.
Dear Ridge,
I must be a glutton for punishment. Today was pure torture. You showed up on my door offering a ride and shopping advice, but after spending an entire day with you, I’m more confused than ever. I don’t think I’m over you, a ridiculous notion given that you’re basically engaged.
We had something years ago. You broke my heart. You walked away. I thought the best I could do was forgive you, but after this week…What I feel is more than forgiveness.
You’re basically engaged. I’ve seen the ring! You told me your plans. You asked my advice. So why does my heart seem to think there’s still a chance? That my high school dreams might finally come true. Amber is a lucky girl, and I hope she knows it. Because another girl’s heart is breaking right now.
Mal
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
The next dayI woke to a stiff, though less swollen, ankle, and a break from wedding prep. I enjoyed the opportunity to sleep in, though a part of me missed waking up to Ridge at my front door. I used the day to finally paint my room. The work was therapeutic, even if it gave me too much time to think about Ridge and how weird it felt not seeing him that day.
Friday I was wide awake by the time someone knocked on my door. I had slept fitfully the night before and felt exhausted. Thoughts of Ridge had danced through my head in the form of strange dreams, including one where I was helping with Ridge and Amber’s wedding while my mother chased me around telling me that she’d bought me the house next door to her, dragging a bowling ball-toting mystery man who she claimed was my husband. The dream had left a cold knot of dread in my stomach, and I couldn’t shake it off.
I lay in bed for a moment, hoping if I ignored them, whoever was at the door would go away. They didn’t. Instead, another knock sounded, forcing me out of bed and into the realities of the day. Today was the rehearsal dinner and bachelorette party. After tonight, my reason for spending time with Ridge would be gone, and I’d go back to my lonely world of home improvement and trying to stop Amber’s family from buying my apartment.
Rolling out of bed, I slipped on a sweatshirt and headed to answer the door, tripping on a roll of tape that I’d left in the middle of the living room the night before. Looking through the peephole, I wasn’t surprised to see a smiling Ridge with a brown box in his hands. With an odd sense of deja vu, I opened the door.
“What are you doing here?” My voice rasped as I spoke.
“I was in the area and thought I’d stop by,” Ridge shrugged. “Can I come in?”
“Sure.” I moved out of the doorway and walked into the kitchen, Ridge following behind me. “You know, wedding prep isn’t until later.”
“I had to run an errand for Amber and stopped at a local bakery for donuts to share.” He lifted the box in his hands, and I felt a smile forcing its way to the surface despite my dismal mood.
“A man bearing donuts is always welcome in this apartment,” I responded, trying to ignore how those words caused my chest to pinch. I’d gotten a text from my dad sometime in the night mentioning he’d received another offer from Milton Corp. I couldn’t help but worry that this apartment’s days were numbered.
“Correction, a man in general is welcome.” Chloe came from her bedroom completely dressed and looking beautiful. Her pixie cut was perfectly styled is short curls, making me conscious of my bedhead.
