Charlotte
Yeah. Long night. You?
Miles
Couldn't sleep. Too busy thinking.
Charlotte
About what?
A pause. The three dots appeared, disappeared, appeared again.
Miles
About how I spent fifteen years convincing myself I made the right choice walking away from you. And how one month back in your life has made it very clear I was wrong.
My breath caught. I stared at his words, my heart pounding.
Miles:
I'm not good at this, Charlotte. Saying what I feel. But I'm trying. I need you to know that I'm trying.
Tears pricked my eyes—not sad tears, not this time.
Charlotte
I know you are. I see it.
Miles
Can you meet me tomorrow? At the river. Our spot.
Charlotte
Yes. What time?
Miles
4 PM.
Charlotte
I’ll be there.
I pressed the phone against my chest. I didn’t want to let go of that feeling, hope.
Drew had come to my door tonight seeking absolution I couldn't give. But Miles wasn't asking me to forgive him or fixhim or save him. He was just asking me to stay. To show up. To believe he was worth fighting for.
And for the first time in my adult life, I knew exactly what I wanted.
I wanted to stay.
8.Miles
Istared at my phone for twenty minutes before typing the message.
Miles