“Jesus, I think I love this boy. What do I do?”
“Chloeeee, my lady, what’s up?”
She bolted upright as Smitty dropped down in the chair across from her, stretching his short legs onto the coffee table.
“Smitty.” She glanced behind her. The gates were closed and locked, she knew because the gardener had told her. Mom and Dad were out of town, so security was heightened. The French doors were open to the kitchen, but she was facing them, so he couldn’t have entered that way.
“How’d you get in?”
“Over there. Somewhere.” He pointed toward the gate, sort of, then to the north corner and around to the lanai. “So, have you heard from Jesse?”
“No.” She sighed. “How’d you get in? The gates are locked.”
“I saw the gardener.” Smitty set his feet down and angled toward her. “Did you write to him?”
She pointed to the wadded stationery.
Smitty grinned. “Not going so well?”
Chloe set the stationery aside, standing, pacing. “I don’t even know why I’m trying. In South Carolina I hinted that I wanted something more with him, but he didn’t bite. Then he walked off the set and I can’t stop thinking about him. Never mind I don’t even have his actual address.”
“Try his brother’s company, DiamondBros.” Smitty pulled an apple from his white, linen jacket. The sleeves were rolled upMiami Vicestyle. “What’s God saying?”
“He’s not speaking.”
“Are you sure?”
“No.” She sighed, sitting with a harrumph. “I’m not sure I can tell if He’s speaking. There’s soda, water, beer in the fridge if you want something to drink.”
“Don’t overthink it.” Smitty jerked open the fridge and tookout a cold can of sparkling water. “Get out of your head and into your spirit.” He slapped his belly. “You’re too afraid.”
“Can you blame me? You know my past.”
“Trust yourself. Your faith. Trust Him.” Smitty crunched into his apple. “I’ve got to go.” He pointed at the wadded letter. “Write from your heart. Send it. What’s the worst that can happen?”
“Never hearing from him again.”
The short, dark man made a face as he stepped off the lanai and started across the lawn. “And how much are you hearing from him now?” He disappeared around the side of the house and was gone.
Chloe wadded up a piece of stationery and tossed it in his direction.
Smitty had a point. And what was the business of “death, you cannot have me” if she let herself be chained to her fears? Where was hervictory?
Taking up the stationery, Chloe set pen to paper.
Dear Jesse,
I’m not really sure where to begin. How are you? Where are you? Why did you leave? I miss you and our weird relationship. Can I say that?
I never had a chance to thank you for defending me to Zarzour. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
I’ve tried to call and text, but you never respond. Dad suggested writing an old-fashioned letter since a letter started our relationship. Ha! Since I don’t have your address, Smitty suggested I write to you at DiamondBros.
When we met at Violet and Dylan’s wedding, I knew there was something special about you. As if God intended our paths to cross. But I was hesitant, scared. Then you kissed me, and I never wanted you to stop. Yeah, that’s right. I never wanted you to stop. I wanted to be able to kiss you any time I wanted. Echoes ofSweet Home Alabama, anyone?
Since you walked off the set, I’ve missed you. I can’t stop thinking about you. I want to be more than friends, Jesse. I think I love you.
Dad teases me about my quest for a real happily ever after, but I do not have fairy-tale dreams of a perfect love that never fails or doesn’t struggle. I get real life. I love real life. That’s what I want with you. Love and life. In all of its awkwardness, selfishness, giving and taking, growing and changing.
