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“Why are you running?” Mrs. Lindenmeyer cried.
“Sense of urgency!” I called back as I pumped my arms, willing my burning lungs and muscles to get a move on. I immediately recognized Maddy’s SUV, but she turned right and blended into the traffic before I could reach her. Her ponytail whipped back and forth as she checked her mirrors and maneuvered the car into the next lane. “Maddy!” I called. But she was already too far away to hear me.
I waited for the cars to pass before crossing the street. But by the time it was clear, she’d already sped off, turning to drive the length of the park. She was so close, but just out of reach.
Not this time!
I took a deep breath and sprinted across the road. I could see her on the road bordering the eastern side of the park. She turned her blinker to head left and I ran for my life. I wasn’t great at golf, but I was a fast runner. Fists pumping, muscles burning, and people looking at me like I was crazy, I gve it everything I had and ran in a dead sprint across the Common. Ducks and pigeons scattered, petrified. A little girl pointed at me as if she thought I might be a super hero—or maybe a robber trying to make a getaway. I didn’t let anything stop me. I jumped over the “Make Way for Ducklings” statues and dodged a trash can, Madison’s car never leaving my sight.
Finally, on the other side of the park, she got a red light.
I made it to her car and practically collapsed onto it. I rapped on the window, making her jump. “Madison Delaney?” I asked as she lowered her window.
She gaped at me. “Yes?”
“I have a delivery for you. It’s urgent.”
Her green eyes widened as she looked around for a package. “What is it?”
“It’s…me.” I grinned sheepishly.
“Aw, Bob. That’s the best package ever.” She reached through the window and gripped my hand. “I’m so happy to see you.”
“That’s good, ‘cause I’m all yours. If you want me.”
“Of course I do!” Her eyes filled with tears and her shoulders shook a little—she was laughing and crying all at the same time. “I have something for you, too.” She reached out and grabbed my T-shirt, pulling my lips to hers.
The long line of cars sitting behind her started honking, but I didn’t break the kiss for a good, long while.
“WILL YOU TWO GET A ROOM?” the man behind us yelled, and we broke apart, laughing.
“Quick, get in!” Maddy said.
I hustled around and hopped into the passenger seat. The yelling guy stopped honking. He gave us the thumbs up as Maddy hit the gas and turned toward Somerville.
“I was just on my way back to your house!” she said, still wiping her eyes.
“You were?”
“Yeah, I have something for you—not just the kiss. A special delivery.” She giggled.
“Great minds think alike, I guess.” I reached out and stroked her cheek. “I missed you.”
She glanced at me, a huge grin on her face. “I missed you too!”
We pulled up to my house and she hopped out, grabbing a package from the trunk. She winked at me, then cleared her throat and squared her shoulders. “I have a delivery for Roberto Palmieri—it requires a signature.”
“Here, let me take it.” I grabbed her hand and led her up the stairs to my apartment. Once inside, I gently placed the package on the ground. “Before I open it, I have another something for you, too.”
“You do?”
I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her against me, my heart leaping for joy to smell her smell, to have her so close. I kissed the top of her head. “Want to have dinner with me tonight?” I asked.
“I’d love to.” Maddy grinned up at me. “Now open your present.”
I laughed when I tore off the brown paper. “This is a cornucopia of goodness.” Inside I found a book of Nantucket ferry tickets, a new tennis racket, and a gift card for golf lessons. And an inscrutable package of medi
cal tape.
