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When she got to his door, it was cracked open. She hesitated, wondering for just a moment if it might be a trap, but without allowing herself to think too much, she pushed it open.
“Finn?” she called. As she entered the apartment, a gasp escaped her throat. It was empty. The couch, the TV, all of his furniture was gone. Had he been robbed? She turned around, her breath suddenly too loud in the silent apartment.
Footsteps approached her from behind and she spun toward the bedroom, letting out a sigh of relief.
“You came,” he said. He’d changed out of his work clothes and cleaned up since she’d seen him last, though he still seemed to be sweating. In his hands was a box with a letter on top.
“What’s going on?” she asked, gesturing toward the empty apartment in case he hadn’t noticed.
“I’m moving,” he said simply.
“Moving? Leaving New York?”
“I have some things I need to take care of.” He set the box down on the countertop, lifting the envelope and turning it over in his hands.
“Will I ever see you again?” she asked. She hated the pain that filled her voice, but there was no hiding it.
“I…” He pinched the bridge of his nose, looking down and letting out a breath. “I don’t think so. Here.” He slid the envelope to her.
“What’s this?” she asked, staring at the shaky handwritten‘Blythe’on the front of it. She ran her fingers over the ink. His hands were on her arms before she realized it, and when she looked up, his lips found hers. She tensed up for a moment, thinking she should resist, but her body melted to his touch instantly. His kiss was soft, gentle, his lips warming her in ways she hadn’t known possible. The world stood still. None of the confusion mattered. The empty apartment. The endless opportunities held within the envelope in her hands. The eminent heartbreak his leaving was sure to cause her. For just that split second, with her lips on his and his hands cradling her head, nothing else mattered. When the kiss ended, he pressed his forehead to hers.
“God, what I wouldn’t do to kiss you forever,” he whispered.
She sucked in a breath, feeling cool tears stinging her eyes as she realized how real it all was. Her feelings for him. The rush he sent from her fingers to her toes. And the fact that he was about to walk out of her life forever. “Don’t go.” It was a command. A plea. A promise.
His nose touched hers and, for just a moment, she thought he was going to give in, that his lips would find hers again and time would stop for them. She was wrong.
His hands left her head, and she heard his feet shuffle as she closed her eyes. “Finn, please…”
“Just…just read the letter,” he whispered. “Take care of yourself, Blythe.”
With that, the door clicked shut and hot, angry tears flooded her cheeks.Damn it.She ripped open the letter with force, furious thoughts radiating through her. She could still catch him. She could still stop him from leaving.
But could she? Would he listen? She had to find out what was in this all-important letter.
Blythe,
I did a search for the number you used to call your aunt from my phone, and this is the address it pulled up. I hope it’s right.
It’s Finn, by the way. If you hadn’t figured that out. Guess that’s where I should’ve started.
If you’re wondering why I didn’t just scrap this letter and start all over, it’s because this is my eighteenth attempt, and my hand is getting sore.
I should just text you, I know. Who writes letters anymore? Do you know how hard it was to even find a pen in my apartment?
There I go rambling again. I won’t waste too much of your time.
I wanted to let you know that I’m moving. Leaving the city for a while to clear my head. I have some things I need to do, stuff I need to get taken care of, and…my head just isn’t in the right place. It seems New York isn’t big enough for the both of us.
Yeah…I really should just scrap this and start over, shouldn’t I? Maybe I’ll get lucky and this won’t ever get to you. Then I’ll just have wasted a bunch of money but save my dignity.
Money. Yeah, that’s where I was going with this. You’ll find a key in this envelope, too. I’m not including my address just in case this does happen to end up in the wrong hands, but if it doesn’t, Blythe, if it ends up in your hands…the apartment is yours.
I’ve paid up the rent for a full year. Okay…technically eleven months by the time you get this. Do what you want with it. You deserve a fresh start, Blythe. If anyone can understand that, it’s me. I’ve signed the lease over into your name, which you’ll also find a copy of in this envelope. Use this start wisely. Save your money. Travel. Whatever you want to do. I hope this helps you in some way.
Stay safe. Take care of yourself. Don’t think about me too much.
I’ll say this now because I’ll never have to see you again…I think maybe you changed me, Blythe. For the better. You made everything different. I was worried I would do the same for you, but in an opposite way. I’m not good for you. My life is dangerous. Don’t look for me. I learned a long time ago how to disappear, and you won’t find me. Trust me when I say it’s for your own good.
