Chapter 39
Chapter Thirty-Nine
EMMA
It’s two days before winter break, meaning there are three days until Christmas, and I only have one final left.
Nothing’s changed in the past few days. No word from Grayson yet, and as much as I’m trying not to let it bother me, it’s been too long.
I’m tired of this crap, and it’s taken everything in me not to go to his house.
Everyone’s surprised I haven’t yet, but I’m trying to respect his boundaries—and I may have asked the gang to do a drive-by.
They didn’t see him at home, which I found odd, but he did quit and could be sorting out some things with the soup kitchen or wherever else he needs to get things done.
Honestly, I’m staying calmer than most people would. Still, I feel completely drained. My mind is a chaotic mess, and my heart is confused about where it belongs. Both are not only at odds with each other but are barely surviving on their own.
As the thought leaves me, someone knocks on the door of my and Kami’s suite.
Kamila has her bedroom door wide open, and I can hear the keys on her laptop, meaning she’s in the zone and not to be disturbed.
I set my own laptop aside on the couch, open the door, and find someone who looks to be about my age wearing a large coat and a hat with the name “Driscoll Floral Frenzy.” He’s holding a huge bouquet in a large vase filled with dozens of blue forget-me-nots, my favorite flower.
In the boy’s other hand lies a closed medium-sized box.
“Would you mind taking the flowers so you can sign for them, please?” he asks, clearly hinting that they’re heavy.
“Yes, sorry.” I grab the vase and set it on the coffee table. There’s a note sticking out of it, but I don’t want to leave the poor guy hanging. Rushing to him, I sign the paper confirming I received both the flowers and the box.
He hands me the medium-sized box, which is cold to the touch, and then leaves. Kamila rushes into the living room. “What was that?”
Ignoring her question, I open the box to reveal perfectly shaped chocolate-covered strawberries. My eyes widen.
“It’s Grayson,” I tell her and hand her the box, running to pick up the card.
Princess,
I’m sorry it took me this long to contact you. I’ve been in Connecticut with my brother since I quit and was waiting for you to find out, so you could have some time to process things.
If that was a foolish decision, I hope this can make up for it.
I had to change my phone number due to some unpleasant calls I was receiving. You’ll have my new number soon. I’m not ignoring you, Emma.
I’ll be traveling for the next few days, but I will explain everything soon.
I stand by what I said the first time around.
Wait for me, okay?
- G
“Okay,” I whisper to myself.
I’m laughing because, of course, he had a backup plan in case he fucked up, which he
kind of did, but at least now I understand why it took him a few days and that he’s staying in contact, in some way, unpredictable as it may be.
Now my only concerns are how long he’ll be traveling and whether he quit for us, for another reason, or for several reasons. Who knows. I guess whatever he’s sorting through is why he’s traveling, and if I keep getting gifts from it, I won’t complain…for now.
He also did the right thing by explaining why he wasn’t answering his phone.
I feel bad for not thinking sooner about what could have happened to him.
After all, my phone is on a completely private and secure line, set up by my parents when I first got a cell phone.
It makes me wonder what kinds of calls he was getting—the media?
Businesses threatening to cut ties? Death threats?
I flinch at that last one. People can be awful.
Looking back at the table, my heart warms thinking of him remembering my favorite flower.
I can’t recall when I mentioned them, if I ever did at all, but I must have for him to have known.
It might have only been once or twice, and it was most definitely before we started dating.
It’s practically impossible to get forget-me-nots in the winter, so there’s that to keep in mind.
Grayson has been paying attention from the very start, which might seem like the bare minimum to some, and maybe it is, but it means something more to me.
It solidifies that he’s been listening to me all semester and not just sleeping with me.
He’s remembered the small things and is taking action in showing me that.
It gives me hope, which I both cherish and fear.
I wonder when he started thinking about us being together. Was it before I told him I couldn’t wait, or on the day I did?
“These strawberries are amazing,” Kami says from beside me.
Giggling and deciding to stop overthinking, even if just for a moment, I pick one and bite into it. Oh, these are expensive, I can taste it.
It’s still a move that works, although him wiping the chocolate off the corner of my lip would’ve made it so much better.