My parents' own a cabin back there. Dad goes there once in a while, especially now that he’s retired, but I’m sure it’s to get away from Mom. I don’t think retirement is working in their favor. They seem to fight a lot more now.
I stop at a gas station and then I’m on my way. It feels good to be on the open road. I ignore the dusty smell from inside the car as I open the window and let in the fresh air from the outside. I laugh to myself as I sit back and see the vacationers and travelers, all of them going their own way. I don’t have to think about Ryan’s creepy behavior and fucking me over by paying me less, and most of all, I put all thoughts of Eric to the back of my mind.
The cabin’s small, and it doesn’t take long for me to get there. Once I do, I run around like a little kid to see the same one bedroom, open space basic kitchen and living room. As a kid, it used to be heaven because I would spend as much time outside as possible, and I hardly noticed that the inside was so small. I’ve got a few snacks that’ll keep me going through the night as well as my favorite book, Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen. It’s a bit tattered in spite of all the care I’ve given it over the years.
I’ve moved so much that I’ve forgotten it at times. But it feels like a little slice of heaven as I think about my night. I’ll go to town and get a bottle of wine. A couple of days in peace and tranquility is just what I need right now.
I send a quick text to Dana from my iPhone to let her know where I am and then I turn my phone off. I have two days to myself, and I intend to spend every minute of it in peace. No phone calls from any of the creeps in my life, both Eric and Ryan.
* * *
It’s amazing how time flies when you’re enjoying yourself instead of worrying. I can’t believe that I’m already near my apartment, I’m a couple of blocks away. If I could afford it I would have stayed a little longer, but my bills are something that I can’t run from. As soon as I get in, I’ll text Dana again so that she knows I’m alive, and then I’ll hit the sack.
That’s when I freeze at the sight of Eric standing outside my apartment waiting for me.
Holy crap!
As soon as I park, I don’t hesitate in telling him exactly what’s on my mind.
“What are you doing here?”
He smiles. “I came to see you. I know things haven’t been going smoothly for us lately, but there’s something that I really need to say.”
I nod, and I notice there’s something behind his back. His arms are hidden, whereas when I saw him standing on the steps outside my block, I was sure that he had a box in his hand.
“I know that you love to read and that this is your favorite book. I just came here to give it to you and let you know that it wasn’t you I was stalking. I’m spending a lot of money on that bookstore. I need to make sure that everything about it is in order. Ryan was slimy and I needed to know what the real story was. So, I hired a PI. He had information about you, too. I never asked him to do it. I would like to start again.”
I want to interrupt him, but not only is he looking sexy as hell in his suit, every smooth line fitting him so perfectly, but he looks sad as if everything he’s saying could be from the heart. I think that maybe I was too hasty to jump to conclusions, not ready to trust someone. Sure, he screwed up, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t forgive him. Because I want to. But how does he know my favorite book? Is he just stalking me when he acts like he’s protecting me from creepy Ryan?
I don’t know who or what to trust right now. So I don’t say anything.
Eric takes a deep breath as he hands me the box and walks away. I take the box and automatically start to open it.
I smile as I realize that he’s given me a copy of Sense and Sensibility. And not just any edition of Jane Austen, but one of the pirated copies that were sold in France in the 19th century. Holy crap! How did he manage that?
I don’t even have a chance to ask Eric as I hear his car drive away behind me.
It’s the same novel that I was reading on my trip. I want to know how he knew, was he following me yet again?
I pick up the box and head to the car. I take out my phone to send Dana a message to tell her that I’ve arrived when I see a message from her.
Dana: Eric was in here while you were away asking about your favorite book. I hope you don’t mind.
I sigh as I realize that Dana must have told Eric. Maybe I was too harsh with him earlier. Everyone deserves a second chance, especially the man that I just happened to give my virginity, and he wants to make it up to me. And for now, I can’t think of any reason to not give him a second chance.
Eric
Elia’s here. She must have driven here after I left her apartment. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have gotten here so fast.
I know her car barely runs and I want to just buy her a new one...but, hey, I have learned how the expensive gifts are going to go over. The book doesn’t count. I took that from my private collection of rare French pirated manuscripts. I have a lot of money and that comes with weird hobbies.
I don’t hesitate in telling the doorman to let her in, and now I don’t know how to play it. I don’t want to be my normal cocky self and drive her away. But I have this abiding urge for Elia to accept me. And I am that cocky asshole, aren’t I?
“Elia, you didn’t have to come all the way down here.”
Her eyes are wide open as she looks at my bare chest. I didn’t take my shirt off for her benefit. It just worked out that way. As soon as I came in, I thought I’d hit the gym to get rid of the testosterone that’s flowing through my body. And it happens every time she’s around.
“Did you like the book?” I ask. That manuscript was one of the cooler parts of my collection, and it cost more than I think Elia has made in her entire life. I am glad that she seems to not be sweating that price tag right now and can enjoy that I really wanted to do something special for her.