“Sorry,” I whispered. “It’s just…You see, Ilovehim, and I need to tell him. But I have no idea if he feels the same way. His daughter tells mehe’s still single, but anything could’ve happened since that letter. I just need him to know how I feel.”
The older lady smiled and patted my hand. “He’d be crazy not to be in love with you, my dear.”
I wanted to hug her, but I needed more reassurance from my new unsuspecting therapist.
“But what if he doesn’t?”
When we heard the loud ping informing us we were at the terminal, she said, “If this man isn’t who God has for you, even though you’re in love with him, then He will have someone even better for both of you.” She stood up from her aisle seat and waved as she walked away.
The sentiment was beautiful, but my heart twisted in my chest at the thought of Miles in love with another woman, kissing her, marrying her, having children with her. Suddenly, I wanted to throw my unopened tiny bag of pretzels at my new therapist.
Two hours later in my hotel room downtown, I let the memories I’d spent in this beautiful city lull me to sleep. After texting Ren and my family to let them know I was safely at the hotel, they sent back “good luck” and “call me immediately after you talk to him.”
When I woke up, it was already late morning, but I knew exactly where I would go first. I’d decide afterward whether to call him or just show up at his door after work like a crazy person.
There was still a chill in the air when I walked toward my favorite Turkish café. I pulled my brown leather jacket closer as the strong smell of coffee wafted through the open door. I stepped around a man engrossed in his phone, mumbling his apology. Reaching into my jean pocket, I leaned against the glass wall as I brought the blue ribbon to my chest.
“God, here is my wish and my prayer. Let Miles be in love with me, too. And if not, then You’ll need to heal my broken heart. Again,” I whispered. I nodded once, gathering my courage as I opened the door. The scent of buttery pastries made my stomach rumble.
Walking straight to the wishing tree, I smiled. This was the last place I’d seen Miles and MJ. Even though it had been a painful memory, an unexpected confidence came upon me that could only be from God. I was in the right place at the right time. I smiled, knowing He was giving me the peace I needed, no matter what happened next.
Before I could tie my ribbon to the tree, I realized there was a man near it as well, with his back to me. So I waited, giving him some privacy when I saw a ribbon in his hand as well. His head was down, but there was something familiar about him.
Suddenly, his head flew up and he started to turn around, his nose in the air.
Two years of silence collapsed into one single, breathless second when he turned to face me.
Miles.
I blinked rapidly, trying to get my eyes to clear from the sting of tears. How was this possible?
Miles was here, standing right in front of me. His eyes were wide with a sheen that matched my own.
The tension between us hummed with the memory of every replayed moment we’d spent together. His eyes were fixed on mine, his brows pulled down in utter confusion. His chest was rising and falling rapidly, his mouth opening and closing wordlessly.
Miles.It was like my heart was calling out to his.
The café, the sounds, the people all faded away. There was only him: his eyes, his fingers flexing at his side as he swallowed. My heart raced as if it had been running forever and had finally found its home. Like opening my favorite book that had been lost, its cherished words coming alive once more.
“It’s you.”
Hearing his whispered words barely audible over the lively hum of the café filled me with a profound sense of peace.
Home.
In that moment, I knew, without a shadow of doubt, that I would never love another man as long as I lived.
My smile grew wide as I took him in. His hair was shorter, his tan a little less noticeable, but he was still the most handsome man I’d ever laid eyes on.
“Hi, Miles, I can’t believe you’re here,” I said, a tear rolling down one cheek before I could stop it. The distance was swallowed up by his long stride. When his warm hand touched my face, my eyes fluttered closed for a moment, but bounced open again, not wanting to miss a single second.
“Please don’t cry. It hurts too much to see you cry,” he said, his eyes never leaving mine. He was so close I had to strain to look up.
“Happy tears. I promise,” was all I could say. He was here at the wishing tree. Being bolder than I’d ever been before with him, I looked down and let my fingers glide down his other arm until I reached the hand holding a teal ribbon. It didn’t escape my notice that his breath stuttered at the contact.
I tugged at the ribbon, and he didn't resist letting it go, his eyes stillfixed on mine. Raising the ribbon so I could see what looked like writing on it, my breath caught as the words came into view.
God, please bring Vicky back to me.
