“Selena—”
“I don’t want to hear from you ever again, Ethan Lockwood. Please don’t try to get in contact with me and if you can help it, please don’t run to the press and tell them about whatever the hell this was. I would say I could pay you not to, but I think you have more than enough money.”
“Selena please, let me—”
“I mean it! Stay the hell away from me!” I bolted out of his house and jumped into my car.
I slammed my foot on the gas in reverse and pitched the gift box I’d made for him out my window.
I could literally feel my heart shattering, but I knew the pieces would glue themselves back together once I got back to New York City. Once I was “Selena Ross” again.
Chapter 24
Ethan
I tried running after her, but it was no use. I stooped down and picked up the yellow box she’d thrown. I walked back into my house and slammed the front door shut.
I ripped the tape off the box and pulled out the card that sat on top:
Dear Ethan,
Thank you for being the most understanding guy I’ve ever met. I know I’m not easy to get along with most of the time, but thank you for being so patient.
I made this “compromise box” to show you that I’m willing to be more flexible and accommodating. That said, I won’t watch The Godfather with you…I’ll watch all three of them, this week. I promise. I’ll let you go first in our next game of Confession Uno, and I’ll try to stop questioning you every time you try to surprise me…I’ve enjoyed every single second we’ve spent together over the past few weeks, and I hope that the jet charm on my bracelet will ring true once I return to New York and you go back to Boston.
Your friend forever too,
Selena “Beauregard” Ross
P.S. I love you :-)
She loves me? This soon? Is that possible?
I sank down to the floor and sifted through the box: Uno cards, a picture of us kissing at the state fair, my hundred thousand dollar check with the words “I’ll go out with you for free, forever” scribbled across the front in her elegant handwriting, a slice of cherry bourbon pie, all three Godfather DVDs, and an orange and black pair of lace panties with a card attached to it: “Next time we go trick or treating, it’ll be just you and me :-)”
I drove to Sweet Seasons, but the doors were locked and all the lights were off. I drove to her hotel and rushed up to her room. The door was slightly ajar so I pushed it open.
I walked around her suite, but she was nowhere to be found. There were only suitcases, the bouquets of flowers I’d sent, and trunks of shoes. I walked around to the kitchen and saw her supermodel-looking assistant talking on the phone.
She looked at me and raised her eyebrow. “Miss Thatcher, can I call you back please?” she moved her phone away from her ear and crossed her arms.
“Your name is Joan, correct?” I asked.
“Yes. Can I help you with something?”
“I hope so. My name is—”
“Ethan Lockwood. I know who you are. What do you want?”
“I need to speak with Selena.”
“She left for New York a couple minutes ago. Would you like me to deliver a message?”
“Yes…Could you please tell her that I’m very sorry and I need to talk to her in person? As soon as possible?”
“I can do that,” she suddenly looked sympathetic, “but I can’t promise she’ll listen.”
I’m unfortunately well aware…
“Thank you Joan.”
Without Selena in Fayetteville, I had no reason to be there. I didn’t want or need to stay another day.
I called Barry and let him know I was coming back tonight.
I wasn’t sure if Lola had gotten her hands on the latest copy of Fortune so I decided to stop by Autumn Wonder.
I walked through the employee entrance and the staff said their usual “Hey new coffee bean” and “What’s up Ethan” as I headed for the back office.
“Ethan Reynolds!” Lola jumped up and down as I approached. “It’s a good thing you stopped by tonight!”
So she doesn’t know…
“Guess what?” she clapped her hands together and beamed.
“What?”
“Team! Gather ‘round!” she motioned for me to follow her to the front.
The rest of the staff gathered around the front counter and Lola stood atop a chair. The customers that were sitting in the store shot curious glances over to the group.
“I am happy to let you all know that Mr. Ethan Reynolds has officially,” she looked like she was about to cry, “earned his black expertise apron!”
She bent down and pulled a black and gold apron from a cardboard box. The rest of the team cheered loudly as she instructed for me to put it on.
Once I tied it on, she took a picture of me with her camera and gushed. “I am so proud of you, Ethan! I’m so proud! You grew up so fast!”
I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Lola made me take a few more pictures with my coworkers, and allowed me to do the “honors” of cutting away my old green apron over the trash bin.
After I had a piece of celebratory pie, I remembered why I was there. “Can I talk to you in the back for a second, Lola?”
“Sure,” she picked up a slice of pie and followed me to the office.
“What’s going on, Mr. Black Apron?” she sat at her desk.