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“My sister wanted you to have this.” Sawyer holds it out. “She had some things she wanted you to know.”
Trembling, Dante doesn’t take the letter.
I touch his shoulder. “I get that it’s hard. As you know, she left us letters too. But I took mine, and I’m so glad I did. I think you will be too.”
He nods, reaching out with an unsteady hand to take it. “I can’t believe this.”
“I couldn’t either.” Sawyer’s mouth curves wistfully. “But it’s how I ended up here. And it’s made my life so much fuller and complete. I have a feeling it will do the same for you.”
“I’m sure it will.” A tear rolls down Dante’s cheek. “So, you two know we were in love.” He shakes his head. “I still love her. Always will.”
Sawyer pats his back. “She felt the same. When she left, she was protecting you.”
Dante swipes the tear away. “Of course she was. She was always thinking of everyone other than herself.”
“Yeah.” My voice turns croaky. “She was.”
Dante holds the letter to his chest. “Thank you both. So much. This means everything.”
I know it does. I know because all the letters Eleanor left me have meant the same thing. “You’re welcome. And it was an honor training under you.”
When we leave, Sawyer has to drop me off at his parent’s house before heading back to his apartment for something.
After he pulls into the driveway, he shoots me a serious look. “We should talk about what’s happening between us.”
None of my usual doubts creep into my head, and without thinking, I say, “Okay. Let’s talk. After dinner.” I’m shocked at my own words.
ChapterTen
I’m not waitinguntil after dinner to talk to Sawyer. Instead, I’m going to his apartment and telling him how I care for him, deeply. Maybe I’ll even use the “L” word.
I’m floating as I step out of my car. His place is above the downtown shops, and I’m on the sidewalk in front of them. The storefronts are decorated in greens and reds, the street lamps are adorned with garlands, and the smell of Sal’s Pizza floats in the air. As I make my way past the Gifts and Bits, I peer in the window at their gorgeous holiday display of presents placed in a bed of fake snow below a Christmas tree. Amongst the perfectly wrapped presents are items to buy, like Cherry Creek souvenir stuffed animals.
My eyes flick up, and that’s when I see them. Inside is Sawyer with Françoise, and they’re standing at the counter and laughing. I study them, and it becomes clear they are discussing some sort of gift to be purchased. She points at the display, then claps while nodding enthusiastically.
Sawyer is buying her a gift? Maybe to say thank you for all her help to get us ready for the show?
That has to be it. Right?
I’m desperately trying to convince myself of that when Françoise pulls Sawyer into a hug.
I stand frozen as I stare at the two of them in an embrace, the implications hitting my brain one after the next.
They both love Eleanor. They both live here in Cherry Creek. They both belong here. I don’t, and my life is in Atlanta. My job and my apartment are there.
And, actually, what was I thinking? I’ve never told Sawyer how I feel, nor has he verbalized that he sees me as anything more than a long-time friend. Maybe I misread his signals?
And how would Sawyer and I realistically get together, anyway? Would I just leave my world behind and hope Sawyer has given up his playboy lifestyle for me? And how did I completely forget how badly he hurt me, and how he didn’t show up for me when I needed him most?
Hearing those words in my head, I realize how absolutely ridiculous I was being. I was flying high on euphoria and hormones after our performance, and I’m glad I didn’t embarrass myself by professing my love. None of what I thought or felt was real.
As if the universe hears my thoughts, my phone buzzes. When I check the screen, I see that, of course, it’s a text from The Crusher.
Crusher:We need you in the office, eight a.m. sharp tomorrow morning. No excuses—this is the most critical case of the year.
I stare at the text, my eyes going blurry as they mist over. For a few precious hours, I got to believe in the fairytale—the one where I escape my life and start over with Sawyer by my side.
But his life is here, with someone like Françoise, and mine is in Atlanta keeping my job and paying the bills. That’s reality.
