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PROLOGUE
~ Amanda ~
February in Cherrywood Falls was often overcast and wet. Everything seemed washed in gray as I walked down the suburban streets on my way to work. Rain pattered onto my umbrella, my heels splashing in the small puddles forming on the sidewalk.
It had been a month since I started working at the Cherrywood Journal, and I finally felt like I was settling in. It took a while to get the rest of the journalists to warm up to me, especially since they didn’t consider my column serious enough to place me on the same level as them. After the roaring success and rave reviews following January’s column, it had soon changed their minds. I was in favor with the editor, too, so career-wise, things were going great.
If only I could say the same about my personal life.
After weeks of reading letters, I had finally selected the one I wanted to display for this month’s theme – Realization. It was the same reason I was taking a detour on the way to work, despite the horrid weather the morning had brought. After I had read the letter a few times over, I had decided to follow the address on the back of the envelope and, sure enough, it was the same couple I had seen last month sitting out on the porch. I would remember that porch from anywhere. It was painted entirely white and had a beautiful porch swing on it. I couldn’t quite remember the faces of the couple I had seen. All I remembered was their laughter and happiness as I passed by. That’s why I was returning. I wanted to see if I could catch a glimpse of them, put a face to the words.
As I neared the house, a car drove by, going through a large puddle, which sent a wave of water hurtling at me. I shrieked as I tried to use my umbrella to block it, but it was too late, and I got completely soaked. I caught a few curtains opening as the residents went to investigate the source of the noise. I bet they were all having a good chuckle in the comfort of their dry homes.
Well, at least someone is happy this morning.
I was dripping wet as I made my way down the sidewalk, my pantyhose practically glued to my leg. Water had even gotten into my shoes as I heard the sound of my squelching feet below. By the time I got to the house, I was thoroughly miserable and ready to call it a day. Fortune seemed to take a slight turn when I caught a glimpse of the occupants. It was very brief as I walked past the window but enough to confirm that they were the couple I had seen before. They seemed to be enjoying each other’s company while sipping a hot beverage from their coffee mug.
I wish I could find someone to have that same connection with.
Sighing, I turned and made my way to the nearest subway station, which could get me into the center of the city. I must have looked terrible because I could see the looks of pity in people’s eyes as I got onto the train. Looking down at my clothes, they were covered in a layer of mud and soaking wet. Some of the other commuters even moved away from me. Just when I thought it couldn’t get worse, I felt a drip run down my face from where it had been nesting in my hair. Once the first one had fallen, the rest seemed to stream down. I was a not-so-hot mess.
“Here, use this.”
I was surprised when a handkerchief was thrust in my face. Looking up, I acknowledged the stranger offering such a kind gesture. He was tall, dark, and handsome. If January’s couple can find love on a train, why couldn’t I? I gratefully took the offering and wiped my face, smiling at him.
“Thank you so much.”
I was just about to offer him a coffee in exchange for his kindness when I noticed the all too familiar glint on his finger. A wedding ring. Just my luck. I certainly wasn’t a homewrecker, so, after handing back the now dirtied handkerchief, I thanked him once more before getting off swiftly at my stop and heading straight for the office where I had a spare set of clothes waiting for me. The benefit of working to deadlines meant that sometimes all-nighters in the office were necessary.
Lina, our receptionist, looked at me from head to toe as I walked in, “You look even worse than usual. Is it contagious?”
Holding my head up high, I decided to take the high ground and completely ignored her. I quickly got into the elevator and got to my floor, running straight to my office to change. I locked the door behind me before stripping down and drying myself off. By the time I was dressed and had sorted out my hair and makeup, I resembled myself once more. Content, I sat behind my desk and powered up my laptop, ready to finish editing my column before submitting it later today. I knew the readers would love the story I had picked out for this month’s issue and was glad that I could tick it off my list. Now that I was on the editor’s good side, I didn’t want to mess it up.
After logging in, I noticed a few notifications pop up from various dating websites I had created a profile on. When I had first joined, I tried to do my best with swiping and narrowing down my search, but over time, I had given up. Plenty of bad dates with questionable people was the reason I was still single. The only thing that kept me going was the love stories submitted to my column every month.
And this one certainly was romantic…
