31. Daisy
Chapter 31
Daisy
The sun beams off a beautifully wrapped gift on my welcome mat, sending colors an inch into the air around it. A quick glance around my neighborhood confirms there is nobody out there, waiting for me to receive this present.
A tag dangles, string tied into the ribbon, but I don't want to look at it. Somehow I know in my heart who it's from, so I save the tag for last.
A journal, bound in lavender leather. The smell of new paper floats from the book as I flip through. The pages are lined, save for the first page, where a single line in the center reads This journal belongs to and the name is filled in.
Sunshine
A faint smile ghosts my lips, my fingertip tracing the letters written by his hand . The gift tag reads:
To hold your thoughts.
Happy birthday.
My birthday isn't for eight more months. Why has Penn left me this?
With one last glance down the street, I retreat into my home, gift in hand. Depositing it in my nightstand drawer, I stare down at the lavender leather, knuckles brushing over my lower lip.
This is Penn's way of apologizing. It doesn't work instantaneously, like flipping over a coin, but there's something to it. A nudge. An in-road.
I shouldn't indulge my heart this way, but I can't help it.
Not when it comes to Penn.