“How are things going upstairs?” Hazel asks, retrieving more empty boxes from the kitchen floor. “Are you two getting along?”
I offer a confident nod. “We had to iron out a couple of nuances, other than that, yes. I’ve never seen our mother work so hard to earn anyone’s trust.” Repairing issues between us may take months, years even, but we’re off to a decent-ish start. When the movers canceled, Mother advised that with a little bonus money, she could get two men onsite in minutes. I refused and asked if she would help me move the old-fashioned way—pizza, sweat, and good people—instead of throwing money at problems. Hearing the word “no” seems foreign to her, but I’ve learned a thing or two about setting boundaries this year, and more so what happens when there are none.
She hardly put up a fight when I stepped into her office and handed in my resignation letter. I wasn’t sure if guilt for hiring Caroline caught up with her or if she knew how miserable I had become. I never thought I’d quit Elixir Wines, but here we are. For the first time, I feel in charge of my life. But thoughts of what I said to Caroline still haunt me.
“Did the mail come?” Riley sets a box on the coffee table and tapes it closed. “I’m supposed to get new fabric today.”
I push the box in front of the TV. Hopefully they get the hint.
“I think I heard the delivery person knock earlier, but I was too lazy to get up,” Hazel says from the living room.
I slide my slippers on and pull the front door open. I shiver at the frigid breeze and bend down to retrieve the box. The package is Riley’s. There’s another one.What’s this?I pick up the envelope propped up on its side, and something sticking out of the ground catches my attention.
I flip the thin strip over. I cover my mouth with a hand and immediately become misty-eyed. It’s the photo-booth pictures of me and Caroline. I tug at the envelope and pull out the paper inside. That’s Caroline’s handwriting. My heart pounds as I frantically shield the sheet from the wind and read it. Title:Basil and Caroline’s Honeymoon Itinerary—for real this time.
The itinerary is blank. I turn the sheet around to the other side. My chin wobbles as I read theHow We Metsection—the bar in Seattle. There are more sections, marked withTBD.
A note is at the bottom of the page.
Basil,
Our honeymoon mix-upwas the best thing that ever happened to me.
I believe we’re worth a future of more pictures. More memories. More laughs and arguments and kisses. A real chance at love. I want to fill this out together one day if you’ll have me. I’m so sorry for hurting you. I love you and I miss you terribly.
Caroline
“I love you too,”I whisper, a single tear rolling down my cheek. Where is she? I look around. All I see are yellow taxis and cars and people bundled in heavy coats pacing the streets. But not one of them is Caroline King. Why’d she leave? She probably left to respect the distance she thinks I want.
I step back inside, still able to see my breath in the entryway. I walk over to tell Hazel and Riley, but pause and peer out the living room window. It hits me. I was wrong. She probably saw Hazel and Riley and thought it was me, then left needing space to process what she saw.
I see a familiar silhouette inside of a taxi rolling past. Caroline? It has to be. Adrenaline rushes through my veins. There’s no time to get dressed. I drop Riley’s package and bolt out the door. No jacket. No hat. No shoes. Only desperation to stop Caroline from leaving before it’s too late.
With the photo-booth pictures clenched tightly in my grip, I soar down the steps. When I hit the last one, I slip and fall forward, bouncing off a couple that happens to be walking past, then I land on the ground. I groan in pain. Four sets of hands reach to help, but I wave them away. I struggle and return to my feet. My entire side is soaked from the sloshy sidewalks.
Ignoring the cold air piercing my skin, I find the taxi and begin my dash once more, fueled by fear.
Traffic is speeding up, but with these slippers promising another fall, I can only go so fast. My heart pounds against my chest. I’m panting. My hair is sticking up in every direction. I have no clue when my hair tie fell.
I shout at the cars. “Stop!” But it’s futile. People are staring as I shove past, but I couldn’t care less. This is for love.
She’s the missing piece to my blueprint.
Just when I think I’ve lost Caroline, her taxi halts at the red light not far ahead. The one time in my life I’ll praise this ridiculous street light that takes forever. This is not my finest moment. My hair is sticking to my forehead, and I refuse to think about the source of that smell.
I reach the passenger window, struggling to steady my breath, ready to pour out my heart and soul. My face drops.What?
This person isn’t Caroline. I’m crushed.
Is it too late?
My heart breaks into pieces like it did the first time in the villa—no, worse. The person I need is the one person I may never see again. I never asked for her phone number. I wish I could tell her how much I want another try. Feet drenched and freezing, I ignore the honking cars and go to the sidewalk. My head remains pointed down, and I make my way back toward the house.
“Basil?” I hear a familiar voice. My pulse jumps, and I look up.
Caroline? My eyes lock on hers. She’s standing right in front of me, not inside a taxi. I huff a laugh. My entire body beams with relief, warmth, and a renewed sense of hope.
I’m certain that in my disheveled state, I look like I’ve gotten into a fight with blender, but I don’t care. She’s here.
