“What? You got another letter already!?” Lola looked at me in disbelief.
“I know, I’m a little shocked too.” I stared at the envelope. “I just dropped my letter off this morning!”
“And mine…” Lola sighed.
“Yes, and Grace said it was picked up, so I’m sure you have another letter coming soon.” I nodded quickly. “Okay, I’m going to go read this.”
“You didn’t read it in the car? I would have.” Lola chuckled under her breath.
“It was tempting, but I managed to restrain myself.” I smiled and walked to my bedroom.
It had been difficult not to just tear the letter open in the parking lot. It was kind of a relief to have a response so quickly, because I wouldn’t have to spend the evening stressing about his reaction to my letter. I slowly unfolded his response and started reading.
By the end of his letter, I was in tears.
He really does get it.
I had no more heartfelt emotions to spill. I knew what I wanted. My next letter would be quite simple. I was ready to take a risk, even if it didn’t lead to anything more than one date—I had to give it a shot. Cain was so different from all of the guys I had dated in the past. He wasn’t looking to play games or coax me out of my panties. Maybe he would—one day—but if we followed Grace’s rules, that wasn’t supposed to happen until three months after our first date.
By then, I’ll know for sure if he’s the right guy for me.
I picked up my pen and grabbed a sheet of stationary.
Dear Cain,
I want to meet you.
-Chloe
That was all I had left to say to the man that had been able to understand the complexities of my shattered heart. He awakened something inside of me that I had been willing to let die before I trusted another man. I was going to take a chance and I hoped it was one that wouldn’t regret. He was definitely different, and it wasn’t just because he was older than me. He had a fundamental understanding of everything that made me hold back—everything that made love so damn complicated to begin with.
And I’m going to trust him—until he gives me a reason not to.
* * *
The next morning
“Are you going to sleep all day? Don’t you have to look for a job?” I woke up to the sound of Lola beating on my door.
“What the hell?” I sat up and rubbed my eyes. “You can come in.”
“Get up!” Lola opened my door. “I have a letter waiting on me!”
“What does that have to do with me?” I slung my legs over to the side of the bed.
“Aren’t you getting up early to look for a job? You can go pick it up and bring it to me at work. I’m already running late!” She nodded enthusiastically.
“Oh, I see.” I shook my head back and forth. “Yeah, I’m getting up.”
“Thanks! Text me when you get to the building! I’ll meet you in the parking lot.” Lola scrambled towards the front door.
Ah, it’s almost eight. Yeah, she’s running really late this morning.
I stumbled to the bathroom and took a quick shower. I was planning to drop off my letter, although I had kind of hoped I could sleep late. I did need to look for a job, but there was no reason to get up early to do it. All of the places I was apply for had online applications, and I had already submitted one to most of the ones within driving distance. My phone just wasn’t ringing—which was going to be a problem if it didn’t change soon.
* * *
Two hours later
