* * *
The heart represents the first time you said, ‘I’m yours’. We were at Flick’s house (and while she desperately wanted to be included in our little trip down memory lane, I needed to speed things along. I’m a patient guy… but where you’re concerned, I’m not THAT patient).
* * *
The boat represents the first time you gave yourself to me. Best. Night. Of. My. Life. Hands down. I predict the only days that’ll ever top that are the day you become my wife and the day you give birth to our child. Because, babe, I want it all with you. Every-fucking-single-thing.
* * *
The Empire State Building represents our night… and what an amazing night it was… in New York. We might have said the words for the first time that night, but I’d felt them long before that. In fact, I’m pretty sure I fell in love with you that night you tucked my drunk ass in bed.
* * *
Am I winning you over yet?
* * *
You’re probably getting a little hungry and thirsty by now… you should probably head out to get a drink
* * *
The tears wouldn’t stop. No matter how hard I tried to swallow them down, they kept falling.
“Mya?” Felicity came into the room, wrapping me in her arms. “Oh, sweetheart, you weren’t supposed to get upset.”
“I just… God, I’ve been such a bitch.”
“No, no!” She held me at arm’s length. “You needed to know he loved you the way you love him and that’s okay. You’ve both been through so much. But it’s okay to need someone, Mya. It’s okay to give them another chance.”
I dried my eyes, clutching the bracelet charms in my hand.
“Can I see them?” Flick asked, and I uncurled my fingers. “Shall we add them to your bracelet?”
“I’d like that.” I nodded and let her do it. When she was done, I admired them. “It’s beautiful.”
“He did good. But don’t you have somewhere else to be? What does your clue say?”
“Bell’s,” I said with conviction. “He wants me to head to Bell’s.” It was the only place that made sense.
“Well, then, what are we waiting for?”
Felicity drove me to Bell’s. I think Jason was happy to stay behind given that I couldn’t stop crying. Asher hadn’t only played with my emotions, he’d completely wrecked them.
“Hey, Jerry,” she said as we entered the bar. “I think you might have something for my girl.”
“Hey girls, why don’t you hop on up to the bar and I’ll be right with you.” He disappeared out back while we got comfortable on the stools.
Felicity reached over and took my hand in hers, squeezing. “It’s going to be okay, Mya.”
I was starting to get that.
It wasn’t just about Asher’s grand gesture, it was about the way Jason and Cameron stepped up to look out for me, and the way Felicity and Hailee were always there no questions asked. Maybe I would always be the odd girl out in Rixon, but they only ever made me feel like I belonged. I’d built a family for myself here, a life, and that was something I would always be grateful for.
“Here we go,” Jerry reappeared, carrying a black drawstring bag. He dumped it on the bar and handed me a note. “I’ll leave you two girls to it.” He gave me a knowing wink before busying himself at the other end of the bar.
“Is everyone in on this?” I asked incredulously.
“Only the important people,” Felicity replied. “Well, don’t just stare at it, open it.” She motioned to the note in my hand.