“Sure.”
“My daughter collects snow globes. Her Texas globe broke on the flight to Maryland. Can you go see if you can find one? I’ll be in to pay for it as soon as I’m done. I’ll find you.”
“Sure.” I’ll also get some cash to repay her for this gas. She shouldn’t have to pay to drive me to Austin.
ChapterThirty-Eight
Alec
I’m lyingon my sofa feeling like a piece of shit when my phone rings. I glance at the number, hoping it’s not Matilda. It’s not. “Hello?”
“What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Hi, Becky.”
“You’re screwing this up, big time.”
I know. Except I don’t say it.
“Why am I the one driving her to the airport? And why am I doing it eight hours early? You’re not at work, are you?”
“Is she there? Sitting next to you?”
“No. I sent her on a wild-goose chase at Buc-ee’s.”
“I fucked everything up last night.”
“I know.”
“She told you?”
“Yes. Her side of things. She’s heartbroken. Is that what you want?”
“No, of course not.”
“I’m going to give you some advice, and I firmly believe if you don’t take it, this thing, whatever it is with Matilda, is over.”
Shit. “What?”
“Get your ass in your truck and drive to Austin. Be at the airport before she gets there. The second you see her, get on your effing knees and beg for forgiveness. Then tell her how you effing feel, Alec. Geesh. Didn’t this stuff with Ben teach you anything? Life’s short. You got to grab at happiness and hold on to it with both hands.”
Her voice cracked halfway through that speech. “I know. But aren’t you almost there?”
“Since we’re so stupidly early, I can make a couple of stops first. That is, if you’re going to do what I said.”
“I’m halfway to my truck. I’ll text you when I’m there.”
“Good.” She pauses. “And, Alec?”
“Yes.”
“You’ve only got one shot at this. Make it count.”
“Yeah. Okay.”
* * *
The second she spots me,she blinks like she’s seeing things. That’s also the point I do exactly as Becky said. I get down on my knees and hold out the roses I bought her several days ago. They still look good.
