“I just want you to be happy, Zoey,” he replies quietly. “You deserve it.”
“Thanks, Morgy.” I smile. “I have to go to Jude’s now. Talk tonight?”
“Sure.”
I hang up and busy myself with the pre-showing tasks. Printing info sheets, gathering my signs, driving to the store and buying helium balloons and donuts. I get to his place twenty minutes before the open house. Once I dump everything on his kitchen counter, I glance around. He left it pristine, but I know that’s not uncommon for him. He’s absurdly neat. It’s cute. I inhale, trying to clear my thoughts, but this place smells like Jude. Crispand yet earthy—like an ocean breeze wafting through a pine forest. My heart starts to ache so strongly I want to clutch my chest.
I whimper. I didn’t even realize I did it until I hear the deep voice filled with concern. “Zoey, are you okay?”
I spin, a scream about to be unleashed from my lungs. But then I realize it’s Levi. I gasp for air. “Crap! Levi, you scared the life out of me!”
“Sorry.” He gives me a small smile. “The front door was open.”
“Oh. Right. I was just setting up for the open house,” I explain and glance at his hands. He’s holding an envelope. My eyes rise to his. “Jude’s not here. He went to Maine, I think.”
“Yeah, I know.” Levi nods. “He flew out from DC with Dixie.”
He holds the plain white envelope out to me. “He asked me to bring you this.”
I stare at it. Across the front is one word:Sunset.
“Thanks,” I say, but my voice is barely above a whisper. My heart is suddenly galloping in my chest. I need to calm down. This could be something as simple as instructions about the open house, or something as horrible as him terminating my Realtor agreement. Or it could be him professing his undying love. That’s why my heart won’t stop racing, filling my entire being with hope.
“I heard you know about Tessa,” Levi says, and he looks as awkward as he sounds as he rocks on his heels and shoves his hands into the pockets of his jacket. “That he and Tess used to date.”
I nod. “I don’t know details, and I don’t want to, but—”
“Actually, I think it would probably help clear this up if you did know some details,” Levi interrupts. “I think he probably gives them to you in that letter. But, from my perspective, I just want you to know that Jude is an amazing guy, and he had every right to be pissed about how things with Tessa and me developed. But it was his pride wounded, not his heart. He wasn’t heartbroken over her. I swear that’s the truth. But heisheartbroken now.”
I just stare at him wordlessly, because I don’t know what to say. I want to believe him so badly, though. He nods toward the letter. “Read it. And I hope Tessa and I see you at the home opener.”
He turns and leaves. Before I can do anything more than stare at the envelope, there’s a knock on the door. A couple walk in with big smiles. “Is it too early?”
“No. Please, come in.”
I shove the envelope into my purse. An hour into the open house there’s a break and I’m alone. So I reach for the envelope and carefully open it, my hands shaking. It’s a simple, neat printed note on DC Four Seasons stationery.
Zoey,
I know that video looks bad and I know everything else does too. But I also know I love you. I love you in a way I’ve never ever loved anyone. I can’t just let you go. Please don’t let me go. Come to the place it all began and let me win you back.
Love you always, Jude
In the envelope, behind the letter, is a boarding pass for a flight from San Francisco to Portland, Maine. The flight leaves tonight at eleven. I dig my phone out of my purse and dial my brother’s number with shaking hands.
“He sent me a ticket to meet him in Maine,” I blurt out as soon as he answers.
“So what do you need me to do? Water your plants? Give you a lift to the airport?” Morgan replies swiftly.
I laugh. “Actually, I was calling to ask you if I should go, but I’ve got my answer.”
“Are you going to listen to your much wiser older brother?”
I take a breath. “Yes.”
33
Jude
