My mind races.Something I want to give you?
Then it hits me. Louie.
Of course.
I glance at the cat, who’s currently sprawled on the floor, licking his paw like he has zero concerns in the world.
“You wouldn't last a day out there on your own.” He doesn’t even look up. Probably because he knows I’m right. Spoiled little shit wouldn’t make it past breakfast.
With a sigh, I turn back to the desk, planning to clear off the rest of the papers, but I see something else.
As soon as I lift the mess of envelopes and bills, I freeze.
It's a cute gold key with a thin black ribbon tied around it.
Umm… okay?
It looks like one of those old vintage keys. I frown, turning it over in my fingers.What am I supposed to do with this? What does this even go to?I glance back at the letter, hoping for some kind of clue, but it’s silent as ever.
“You’re kidding me, right, Grandpa? Is this some kind of joke?”
No answer, of course.
Louie, however, meows loudly behind me, making me jump again. “LOUIE. What did Ijustsay about sneaking up on people?”
My pulse is still hammering in my ears, but the cat just stares at me with his unblinking,I-know-you’re-an-idiotlook before rubbing against my leg like I’m the one who scaredhim.
He issolucky he’s cute.
I sigh, rubbing a hand down my face. “I’m all you’ve got now, so you better start acting right.”
Unbothered, he sits back down and resumes licking his paw.
With another deep breath, I refocus on the desk, clearing off more papers and searching for anything that might tell me what the key is for.Or if there’s something I’ve missed.
Before I get too far into my search, my phone vibrates in my pocket.
Pulling it out, I glance at the screen. It’s Chance. And I already know what the message will say before I even open it.
Chance: Hey babe, boss is losing his shit, and I’m stuck in this meeting. No way I can leave. We’ve got a deadline. I’ll make it up to you later or something. You got this. Love ya.
I shove my phone back in my pocket, annoyed at his response, but not at all surprised.
Shocking.
I let out a slow, frustrated breath. He’s been buried in this project for what feels like forever, and I’m always the one left waiting in the background.
I don’t have the time or energy to unpack the emotional back-and-forth with him right now. I’ve cried enough for today. I’m sure he’ll tell mewhenhe’s planning on coming later.Hopefully.
I swallow the lump in my throat and shove the thought aside. I’ll deal with it when the time comes.Whenever that is.Until then, I’m on my own.
Again.
I finish clearing off the desk, tossing aside the last few loose papers and picking up a few books that need to go back on the shelf.
When I get to the bookshelf, I see a book with a deep mahogany cover. It has hints of gold lettering etched into the spine. The book stands out because I’mone thousand percentsure I’ve never seen this book before. The edges are all scuffed, the binding is worn, and the gold is nearly faded from years of handling.
I carefully pull it from the shelf as my fingers brush over the unreadable title. The leather is smooth but aged and it feelsancient. The spine cracks when I open it and the sound is way too loud in the quiet room.
