Chapter Eighteen
Abigail-Ann
“Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.”
~ Franklin P. Jones
H ow could one man be so thoughtful?
My gaze drifted to the primroses on my counter, their soft petals a quiet reminder of how much he paid attention. He listened—not just to my words, but to the little things, the details I barely realized I’d shared. From the moment we met, he made me feel comfortable. Like what I had to say actually mattered.
I hugged the pillow he’d given me, warmth spreading through my chest. It wasn’t just the gift—it was the thought behind it. He made me feel safe. Valued.
I’d been to Pier 39 in San Francisco countless times, always missing the sea lions, but he made sure I didn’t this time. And Nathan’s Famous was the perfect way to end the day. The hot dog was good, but what stayed with me was how happy he was just watching me enjoy myself.
“I told you that I’ll always remember everything about you. I pay attention to detail.”
“Numbers two and three on your bucket list.”
Joshua had been in my life for five years and still never got it. He’d shown up with lilies—the very flower I was allergic to—in a half-hearted attempt to win me back. He never even asked what I liked.
Mikkel, though? He’d known me for a fraction of that time and remembered my favorite flower after asking once. Joshua had laughed at my bucket list, dismissing it with a careless “Why bother?”
Mikkel made sure I checked things off it.
He remembered. And in doing so, he made me feel cherished in a way I never thought possible.
After a quick trip to Ulta and Walmart, I collapsed onto my sofa, my eyes drifting over the unpacked boxes. I reached for my phone, hesitated for only a second, then texted him back.
me: Hey
@mikkelsuarezofficial: Hey Red.
@mikkelsuarezofficial: I was just about to text you back.
me: 415-287-7869
@mikkelsuarezofficial: You made my whole year possibly.
me: Are you always such a flirt?
@mikkelsuarezofficial: Just with you, Red.
me: Flattery will get you everywhere.
@mikkelsuarezofficial: It got me on a first date with you, so you’re right.
me: Consider me charmed.
@mikkelsuarezofficial: Gonna save the number and text you .
I liked the message and waited. When my phone buzzed with an unknown number, I saved it as “S” and opened it, my fingers trembling.
S: How was your day, hermosa dama?
me: Hermosa dama?
S: Pretty lady.
me: You certainly know how to make a woman blush.
S: I only want to make you blush.
me: Officially charmed.
S: That was my goal.
S: How was your day?
me: It was calm.
More like I had a day thinking about him.
S: You gotta gimme more than that.
S: I want details.
me: You’re interested in details?
S: I’m interested in everything you do.
me: I ate, unpacked a bit then went to Walmart and Ulta.
S: Sounds like a cozy day. What did you get?
S: Send me a haul. I wanna see.
This was one of the very times I wondered if he was real. Never have I ever come across a man this interested in me .
Me: Okay!
Me: *video attachment*
And as I expected, he watched and responded to every single thing I bought which had me kicking my feet and squealing into the pillow he got me.
Me: How was your day?
S: Exhausting. I had meetings all morning and then rushed to finish signing some paperwork in the afternoon, went to the gym with my friends then had an interview.
S: I’m home now, so I get to unwind for a bit.
Me: That sounds hectic but, I’m glad you’re finally getting some downtime.
S: Me too, but talking to you is definitely the highlight of my day.
Me: Flattery I tell you.
S: I aim to please you.
Me: My dad sold my car, btw.
S: How are you feeling about that?
Me: It feels like I’ve finally let go of a part of me I should’ve a long time ago.
S: Here’s to a new start, then.
Me: To a new start.
S: What’s next on your agenda for the evening?
Me: Probably just more laziness. Maybe order some takeout and see where the night takes me .
S: Sounds tempting.
Me: It’s really not.
We talked until he had to leave for a meeting, and I was amazed at how he could leave me speechless yet make me feel like I could talk to him forever. With just a sentence, he made me smile, slowly mending the brokenness in my heart. Still, a worry lingered—would he turn out like Joshua? Once had been hard enough; I couldn’t bear another heartbreak. But I pushed the thoughts away, reminding myself that, though love and loss were daunting, it was worth the risk to open up again.