On a Tuesday (One Week 1)
Page 49
“I need you to be as focused as possible when you’re there,” I said. “Speaking of which, I made you something for your future condo.” I pulled a pink box from under my bed and handed it to him.
“More donuts?”
“No.” I shook my head. “Open it.”
He untied the satin ribbon and pulled the top off the box. He pulled out a smaller box and tore off the pink tissue paper.
"Coffee mugs." He ran his finger across the blue and gray sentences on the back side and read them aloud. They were all quotes that gave a timeline of our relationship—everything from, "Are you, Charlotte Taylor?" "You still haven't given me your phone number," and, "I think I'm falling in love with you."
On the front of the mug were the words, “Yes, I’m that good” in huge bold print, with a small black and white picture of him kissing me stamped within the two “O” letters.
He remained silent for a long time.
“I know this gift is super simple.” I got the sudden feeling the wasn’t as enthused about these as me. “But since you and Kyle never had any actual coffee mugs in your apartment and we always had to use red cups, I thought this would be a good idea. Especially now that you drink coffee as much as I do.”
He set the box on the dresser and then he stared at me.
“You could at least say something,” I said. “I hand-painted each letter onto those and it took me twenty drafts to get them right.”
He still didn’t say anything.
“Well, fine.” I crossed my arms. “I’ll send you off to New York with a box of donuts and maybe—” My sentence ended on his lips.
“I fucking love you, Charlotte.”
CHARLOTTE: THEN
Seven years ago
Pittsburgh
SUBJECT: AWARDS DINNER
Charlotte,
My NY flight won’t land in time for me to make it to your Student of the Year dinner. I’ll have to make tonight up to you somehow. (I will. Trust me.)
Love you,
Grayson
PS—Did you get the flowers I sent today?
SUBJECT: RE: AWARDS Dinner
Grayson,
It’s more than okay. The program for tonight’s ceremony looks like it will be a snore-fest anyway. I have no doubt you’ll make it up to me. (You always do)
Love you more,
Charlotte
PS—Yes. They were beautiful. All ten bouquets. Thank you so much.
SUBJECT: FOUND A CONDO + My Final Lit Grades
Charlotte,
I just found a beautiful penthouse suite and I think you'll like it. I'm attaching the pictures, but I won't buy it unless A) You approve and B) You promise to see it in person on draft-night. Let me know what you think.
Love you,
Grayson
PS—I forgot to tell you about my final grades since I took all my final exams extremely early. All As.
I guess I had a pretty good tutor :)
SUBJECT: RE: FOUND a Condo + My Final Lit Grades
Grayson,
OH. MY. GOD! That’s one condo? It’s huge! And I LOVE IT! A) I approve. B) I’ll definitely be there with you on draft night.
Love you,
Charlotte
PS—Congratulations on making all As.
I know you had a pretty good tutor. (But I also know that you didn’t really need one...you would have made all A’s anyway. : ) )
SUBJECT: YOU’RE ON TV (again :))
Grayson,
I just watched your “Rookies to Watch” interview on ESPN. (It looked like you didn’t like the reporter, though. Something wrong?)
I love the way you look in a suit. (Love you)
Charlotte
SUBJECT: RE: YOU’RE on TV (again :))
Charlotte,
Good to know you were watching. (She was flirting with me before the cameras rolled.)
Thank you. (Love you too)
Grayson
SUBJECT: YOU LOOK SEXY as hell right now.
I’m watching Pitt’s graduation via Skype at the training combine and the camera just showed your face.
Call me when you’re free tonight,
Grayson
SUBJECT: RE: YOU LOOK sexy as hell right now.
Sorry, I just saw this. My phone died after the third speech.
Thank you, though. :)
I called you a few times, but I’m sure you’re exhausted. I’ll call tomorrow.
Charlotte
Subject: Question (It’s Personal)
Nadira,
I feel like me and Grayson only email and text these days...
If this is what it’s like before he even gets drafted, do you think we should take a break when he goes to the NFL?
—Charlotte
SUBJECT: RE: QUESTION (It’s Personal)
Charlotte,
I’m sitting at a table at the Buca di Beppo in Station Square with Eric, Kyle, and a few other people you know. We're all here waiting for you and him to walk through the doors because he's supposed to “surprise" you with some "make up” dinner tonight. (You should probably make sure you get dressed since he’s on his way to pick you up right now + I never told you this LOL)
I think it’ll be a bit of a transition-phase for you two when he goes to the NFL, but I do not doubt that he'll do his best to make it work. (He smiles every time someone says your name.)
Nadira
PS—They say he's probably going to net $20M in endorsements alone once he gets drafted. Please make sure he installs a bar in his condo, and please invite me over every weekend once it's complete.