Page 30 of Love Letter Lost
“Have a good trip,” I said with forced politeness as I stood and stretched, my back popping after hours hunched in the same position.
“It was great seeing you again.” Amber gave me another hug, this one stiffer and more forced than the first. She used the opportunity to whisper in my ear. “Think on our conversation about the apartment. I promise, I could make it worth your while to sell.”
I gritted my teeth into a smile and nodded. Knowing who was on the other end of the offers for the building made me even more determined not to sell.
“Drive safe.” Ridge walked her to the door. “I’ll pick you up at 6:00 to take you to the airport.”
“Aren’t you coming with me?” Amber stopped with her hand on the doorknob.
“We drove separately.” Ridge’s tone conveyed his confusion. I bit back a snort at how oblivious he was to his girlfriend’s wants.
“But I won’t see you for a few days. The least you can do is ride home with me. We could spend some time saying goodbye.” Her tone rose with the last words, hinting at what the goodbye could entail.
“I’ll walk you to your car, but I’m not riding back to Orem with you. I’d be carless tomorrow.”
“I’m sure Mallory wouldn’t mind bringing you your car. You could borrow one of Daddy’s to take me to the airport. He’s letting me drive the Tesla tonight.” Amber persisted. I wanted nothing to do with this conversation, wishing they’d both leave so I could digest this latest revelation: that Amber’s father was the one trying to take my home.
“I have a few more errands to run for the wedding tomorrow. I could use your car and drop it off when I’m done.” I offered, pleased by the thought that maybe it could get me out of having to depend on Ridge to drive me to the mall.
Ridge shook his head. “Amber, I’m not borrowing one of your dad’s cars when I have my own car to drive.”
The debate continued for a few more moments before they headed outside.
Taking advantage of the moment alone, I grabbed the notebook from my purse and slipped into my room. I snagged the pen from my nightstand and started writing, ready to stop the second I heard the door open.
Dear Ridge,
Today has been a rollercoaster. There’s so much to process. You and I have called a truce of sorts, and being with you has been…nice. I’ve missed your friendship. It was fun catching up. In fact, if you weren’t in a relationship, I’d probably take you up on that date you wrote me about so long ago.
After the car accident, I liked Amber. She seemed nice, though definitely from a different tax bracket from everyone I associate with on a regular basis. But today, I feel like I’ve seen a different side of her, and I don’t know what to think. She wants to take my home. For her, it’s just business, but for me…it’s my dream.
Mal
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
Ridge was gone long enoughfor me wonder if he was coming back. Of course, if he was leaving, I would like to think he’d at least say goodbye and give me his keys, but who knew what his thought process was. After all, he was dating a woman whose family thought nothing of the word “no” nor of using their power to buy my dream right out from under me. I tried not to think about my plans to paint my bedroom or the new flooring that would be coming in a week.
Curious, I crept over to my window facing the parking lot and glanced out. Amber was climbing into a shiny black Tesla, no Ridge in sight. I heard the front door start to open and whipped around, trying to avoid being caught watching from the window. I managed to knock my knee into the coffee table, the pain radiating up my leg as I hobbled away from the window.
I made it to a bar stool and sat down, praying Ridge wouldn’t notice as I rubbed the now tender spot on my leg.
Ridge stormed into the apartment, completely ignoring me as he settled back down at the kitchen table. Thunderclouds filled his expression, making me wonder if there was trouble in paradise and why my heart leaped a bit at the thought.
Still processing my latest discovery, I sat mute, rubbing my knee and staring at Ridge. His shoulders drooped and his eyebrows pinched in annoyance, making me want to run from the storm brewing in his eyes, though a small part of me wanted to fix it.
“It didn’t make sense for me to drive Amber home. I’m her ride to the airport tomorrow, and I can’t do that without my car.” He let his breath out in a puff and began massaging his temples.
“Makes sense,” I said, not sure where to take the conversation.
“Can we talk about something else? I care about Amber, really I do, but sometimes…” He trailed off, a strangled sound coming from his throat.
I had a feeling that those “sometimes” moments were more frequent than Ridge would ever admit.
“Sure. Like what? We’re done with the flowers, so I figured we’d call it good for the day.”
I waited, assuming Ridge would head home, leaving me to paint my bedroom ceiling and overanalyze the events of the day, maybe write a few more letters in the notebook. I also needed to call my mom and try to talk her out of buying me a shoulder-padded suit for the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding. And there was always the task of trying to find tactful ways to dodge Erica’s increasingly ridiculous renovation suggestions, like today’s request to install neon orange mosaic tiles in the kitchen. Instead, Ridge walked to the couch and settled in. When Ruby walked over, he patted the couch cushion next to him and she jumped up, snuggling into his side. Apparently, she had decided he was worth bothering with after all.
“How about we finish our movie? A reward for all our hard work.”
