Page 18 of The Hang Up
My chest tightens as I fold the letter, sliding it carefully into an envelope and setting it aside. Tomorrow, I’ll give it to her. Tomorrow, I’ll show her that a truce is only the beginning.
The next morning, I’m up before the sun. Coffee brews in the kitchen, filling my house with its warm aroma. I shower, shave, and change into fresh clothes, trying to look my best. Lena deserves that. She deserves my effort and my commitment to proving I’m here to stay.
I drive into town, the letter burning a hole in my pocket. When I pull up to Clay & Cupcakes, my nerves spike. Lena’s already inside, her silhouette moving gracefully behind the counter. Even from here, she takes my breath away.
I grab the letter and take a deep breath, stepping inside.
She looks up, eyes widening slightly as she sees me. “Holden.”
“Morning,” I say, my voice rough. I clear my throat and step closer. “I just wanted to say thank you in person. For the text. For the truce.”
Her expression softens a little. “You’re welcome.”
“I wrote you another letter.” I hold it out, heart hammering.
She hesitates before taking it. Her fingers brush mine, and a jolt of electricity shoots through my veins.
“Thanks,” she whispers, tucking the envelope away.
I glance around the shop, feeling awkward. “Need any help with anything?”
She studies me, clearly debating, before finally nodding. “You can help set up the tables outside, if you don’t mind.”
My heart lifts. “Of course.”
We work quietly, setting up tables and chairs in comfortable silence. I watch her discreetly as she moves, graceful and deliberate. Every now and then, our eyes meet, and a spark flickers between us.
As we finish, she pauses, glancing over at me. “Why did you really come back, Holden?”
I freeze, caught off guard by the question. “Because I was wrong. Because I needed you. Because this is home, and home doesn’t exist without you.”
She bites her lip, eyes shining. “I want to believe you.”
“You can,” I whisper fiercely, stepping closer. “I’m never leaving again, Lena. Not without you by my side. I promise.”
She lets out a shaky breath, her gaze searching mine. “We’ll see.”
“I’ll prove it,” I swear softly. “However long it takes."
Her eyes soften a fraction, and hope flares bright in my chest. This truce is fragile, but it’s real. It’s progress.
And for now, it’s enough.
NINE
Lena
The comforting scent of fried food and fresh-baked pies wraps around me like an old friend as I pick up dinner at Sandbags Burgers. Tonight is supposed to be simple, a quiet night at home, just Mom and me. But simple seems impossible lately.
I hear the bell above the door chime softly, and my heart does a ridiculous little stutter step before I even turn around. Somehow, I already know it’s him. Like some cruel twist of fate, Holden is standing there, his dark eyes instantly locking onto mine.
“Lena,” he murmurs, sounding as surprised as I feel.
“Holden,” I reply, voice strained.
For a beat, neither of us moves. The air crackles with tension as every pair of eyes in the diner watches our silent standoff.
“Picking up food?” he asks, finally breaking the silence.
