I held back the sob that tore from my throat as I wrapped my arms around his neck, both of his arms slipping around my waist. Simultaneously, we breathed a sigh of relief.
Miles kissed my cheeks and neck, his warm tears mixing with mine. He pulled away far too quickly for my liking.
“Can we go somewhere more private?” he asked, glancing around at the staring crowd. I nodded, reluctantly letting him go before he took my hand confidently.
We walked out, barely dodging incoming patrons since we wouldn’t let our eyes stray from one another. A few doors down in front of a store that was still closed, he pulled me to him again.
His murmured words made my eyes close in joy.
“Your perfume. I knew it was you.” He leaned his forehead to mine. “Vicky, I’ve put a ribbon with those same words so many times, I’m surprised the tree is still standing.” We both laughed through our tears as I held him closer.
“Ihadto come back. There’s so much I want to say,” I said, my words muffled against his chest.
“Do you have somewhere to be right now?” he asked as he leaned up but kept me close.
Shaking my head with a smile, I answered, “Nowhere to be.You’rewhy I’m here.”
He looked at me with wonder, like he couldn’t believe what I was saying, as his eyes scanned my face, daring it to be true.
“Let’s go, then,” he said, lacing his fingers through mine with one hand, the other sending a text. It was a weekday, so I’m sure he was letting his office know he wasn’t coming in, which suited me just fine. “When did you get in?”
“Last night. It was too late to call, and I was still deciding whether to just go out to the house later tonight to see you and MJ. How is she? I hated missing her birthday, but I needed to finish up a project at work first.”
Miles shook his head. “You have no idea what it means to me that you’ve been here for a matter of hours and MJ is a priority to you.”
“She’s always been a priority, Miles. I’ve loved staying in touch with her.” I chuckled and pulled out a picture she had sent me. “This one made me so happy. Looks like she had fun at the fair.”
Miles took the photo from me when we stopped near his office building. “She’s getting so big. Can’t keep her in shoes,” he said with a laugh. “Or keep up with her new interests. She wants to learn how to build a robot now.”
A few minutes later, we were at his truck in the parking garage and heading toward his house, still laughing about the robot. When we got in and buckled up, he looked at me, taking my hand again.
“I’m afraid to speak. I just want to look at you, but this feels like a dream and can’t be real. I woke up this morning drawn to that wishing tree. It’s crazy.”
“Once I decided to visit, I still wasn't sure what to say or how to reach out. This morning, I felt the same pull to the café. I had written my ribbon before leaving Rome, knowing I’d visit the tree later, but I felt an urgent need to go right then,” I said, squeezing his hand.
“What does yours say?” he asked.
I had slipped his into the same pocket as mine, both our prayers and wishes lingering together just as they should be.
“God, let me brave once again.”
He looked at me, then at the road and back twice. I could see him struggling with himself.
“I’m fighting the urge to pull over so I can kiss you again because I have things to say, too, but not until we get home.” His voice deepened on the last phrase, sending chills down my spine and a bright blush to my face. There was that word again.
I nodded, and we spent the short ride catching up on MJ. Soon, we were in front of his house. Miles jumped out of the car like it was on fire and rushed to my side to help me out. Once inside, I smiled at the black-and-white photos of him and MJ in the living room, matching the one I made for him in her room.
“Sorry, didn’t know I’d have company today,” he said, clearing off a plate and cup from the counter.
“Please don’t worry about it. I sort of ambushed you.” I held out my hand to him. He put the plate down and turned to me, taking it. “Let’s sit down.”
“Sorry, I’m really nervous. Here, I’ll take your jacket."
We sat next to each other on the sofa, and he turned to face me. “I have to believe, I can onlyhopeto believe, that you haven’t come all this way to tell me that you don’t want anything to do with me. I don’t know what you need courage to say, but I’m hopeful.
His eyes widened and he stuttered, “U-unless you’ve come to tell me you’ve met someone and are getting married or something. Or you’re here for work and not for…”
I slid closer to him, putting my finger over his mouth to stop him from talking, ignoring the desire to find another way to accomplish that goal.
