“I’m going to miss your crazy ass,” she says.
I half laugh/half sob and pull Charlotte into my arms. “You’re the crazy ass.”
We hold on to each
other until our tears are dry.
“When will you go? Want me to help you pack your stuff?” she asks.
I nod. “That would be great. But there’s one thing I have to do first.”
Charlotte cocks her head to the side, and I grab her hand.
“Follow me and I’ll show you.”
Charlotte has helped me pack what I need to take to New York, and the rest we’ll leave for later. I still hope I’ll have a reason to come back here soon. It’s taken me all of the last two days, but I’ve finished the most gorgeous dress I’ve ever made—and I’ve made a massive amount of dresses. The material is perfect and will look amazing on Nova. I add sequins and rhinestones everywhere so she’ll have the ultimate glitter effect when she twirls.
A smile tugs at the thought of her dancing in the living room with Noah. If only I could be there to see it, and to see her face when she unwraps the box and tries the dress on for the first time.
After spending an endless number of hours making it perfect, I went to a little boutique in town and bought a pair of shimmery dress-up heels to go with it.
Folding the dress, I place it gently in a box, along with the shoes and a white envelope. I wrap it all up in sparkly pink paper and top it with a shiny purple bow.
“Perfect.” I place the box on the couch next to me. With a resigned sigh, I make one last pass through the house to make sure I didn’t forget anything I’ll need while I’m gone, and then I walk Nova’s box over to her house. I haven’t seen Noah or Nova since that evening in my yard, and it hasn’t been for lack of trying.
My heart flutters in my chest when I see that their living room light is on. With a big, deep breath, I knock twice and hope beyond hope that Noah doesn’t slam the door in my face. If I’m lucky, maybe Nova will answer.
If I’m really lucky, Noah will be thinking differently about us.
The door cracks open, and Noah stares back at me, his face a blank mask. “What are you doing here, Lennon?”
I’ve never had good luck, and it doesn’t start now.
Squaring my shoulders, I vow not to throw myself at his feet. Not that I don’t want to, because I really, really do. But I can’t make him believe me, and I certainly won’t beg. The resignation in his eyes slices at my heart.
“I, uh…” I hold up the gift-wrapped box. “I brought something for Nova. Is she here?”
His eyes narrow. “No, she’s not.”
“Oh…okay.” I look back at my empty house, wondering if it’s worth my time to hang around until she gets home. “Will she be back soon?”
“No.”
I turn back to Noah. It’s clear he doesn’t want me here and doesn’t want me around his daughter. One would think I’d be used to that feeling—of not being wanted—with the way my parents are, but I don’t think a person ever gets used to that.
“Will you give her this?” I lift the box toward Noah, and he opens the door wider, taking it from my hands. “Please tell her that I love her and I’m thinking of her every single day.”
Noah’s eyes harden. “Don’t do this.” He shakes his head in disgust. “Don’t make this harder on her than it’s already going to be.”
Noah tries to hand the box back, but I take a step away from him, refusing to take it.
“I’m not trying to make things harder,” I tell him. “But I promised her a princess dress, and I don’t break promises.”
“You also promised that you’d catch me if I fell,” he sneers. “Instead you let me land face first, and if I was hesitant about moving on before, I’m damn sure I’ll never leap like that again.”
My cracked heart shatters, falling in tiny little pieces around me. “You’re wrong. I would’ve caught you. I still will if you give me the chance. But you never jumped, Noah. You have to meet me halfway. The truth is, I love you. And I love that little girl. I would fight for both of you until the day I die, but I can’t fight for someone who won’t fight for me. I deserve better than that. So goodbye.”
Lennon turns, fleeing from my life almost as fast as she entered it, and the ache in my chest gets stronger with each step she takes toward her car. When she pulls out of the driveway, I feel like my fucking heart is being ripped from my chest and dragged along the road behind her.