“Mya, look at me.” His commanding tone coaxed me to glance over at him. “You need to do this. If not for Asher, then for yourself. What went down here was not your fault, okay?”
“Okay.” I nodded unsure whether I believed him.
We climbed out together and I was relieved to have someone by my side, even if it was Jason. “Do you think he’s here?” I asked as we slowly advanced on the house.
“I’m not—”
“There you are.” Felicity burst from the front door. “I’ve been waiting all morning.”
“Hmm, hello,” I said, my brows pinched.
“Oh, don’t give me that look. Like you didn’t know I’d have a hand in making this happen.”
“The thought hadn’t really crossed my mind.” I’d been so swept up in it all, I hadn’t stopped to think about what it took to pull off something like this.
“It’s amazing, right? He put so much thought into everything.” She clapped her hands, excitement dancing in her eyes. “And the notes. I almost died.”
“Hold up,” Jason growled. “You’ve seen the notes?”
“Well, yeah. Why, haven’t you?”
“No, I haven’t seen the fucking notes. Unbelievable.” He skulked past us, into the house.
Felicity laughed at her boyfriend’s tantrum. “He’ll get over it. How are you holding up?”
“I’m… okay, I guess. This is all…” I swallowed. “It’s a lot to take in. I still can’t believe he did all this.”
“You haven’t seen anything yet.” She winked. “Come on. I think he left a thing or two for you.” I took Flick’s hand and let her pull me inside. “You want some space?”
“Yeah, actually, I think I do. Is that okay?”
“We’ll be in the kitchen. Find us when you’re done.”
Inhaling a deep breath, I made my way to the back of the house, where the downstairs bathroom was located. Inside, I found a white note propped up against one of Mrs. Bennet’s marble soap dispensers.
* * *
I didn’t know if you’d get to this point. I know it’s a lot to ask of you to be here, so thank you. Thank you for trusting me.
* * *
I can’t remember much about that night. I’d drunk so much. But everything I can remember is you. Your voice. Your gentle touch and soft skin against mine. How good it felt. You were like a bright light in the darkness. My own North Star in dark skies. And even though everything’s a little hazy, I remember being hit with this overwhelming need to make you mine, in every single way possible.
* * *
I wanted to keep up with the little rhymes, but I’m not going to lie… I never was very good at poetry. Besides, I think you know this next one.
* * *
Your next clue is where we shared our first proper kiss…
* * *
I dashed out of the bathroom, running down the stairs to the basement. Part of me wanted to find Asher there waiting for me. But I knew our story wasn’t finished. Deep down, I knew there was more to come. So when I spotted the next note laid on a cushion on the couch where we’d first made out, I snatched it up and greedily drank up the words.
* * *
Do you remember?
Do you remember how good it had felt to have my body pressed against yours? The way we kissed like we were both running out of air?
Do you remember telling me to stop?
I would never ever take advantage of you or push you to do something you didn’t want to do, but in that moment, you really tested my resolve. I wanted to drown in you, Mya. To never come up for air.
You do that to me.
Only ever you.
* * *
…do you remember what happened next?
* * *
Tears streaking down my face, I took off back upstairs, taking the stairs to the second floor. The second I stepped into Asher’s bedroom I was assaulted with memories of him. Us. Nights tangled in his sheets. Mornings wrapped in his arms.
I dried my eyes with the backs of my hands, searching for the next note; hardly surprised when I found it in the middle of his bed alongside a tiny velvet pouch.
* * *
Now this is where we go off course a little… but if it leads you back to me quicker, then I can live with it.
Open the pouch, Mya.
Have you opened it yet? They should all make sense but in case they don’t, here’s a little reminder.
* * *
The heart represents the first time you said, ‘I’m yours’. We were at Flick’s house (and while she desperately wanted to be included in our little trip down memory lane, I needed to speed things along. I’m a patient guy… but where you’re concerned, I’m not THAT patient).
* * *
The boat represents the first time you gave yourself to me. Best. Night. Of. My. Life. Hands down. I predict the only days that’ll ever top that are the day you become my wife and the day you give birth to our child. Because, babe, I want it all with you. Every-fucking-single-thing.
* * *
The Empire State Building represents our night… and what an amazing night it was… in New York. We might have said the words for the first time that night, but I’d felt them long before that. In fact, I’m pretty sure I fell in love with you that night you tucked my drunk ass in bed.
* * *
Am I winning you over yet?
* * *
You’re probably getting a little hungry and thirsty by now… you should probably head out to get a drink
* * *
The tears wouldn’t stop. No matter how hard I tried to swallow them down, they kept falling.
“Mya?” Felicity came into the room, wrapping me in her arms. “Oh, sweetheart, you weren’t supposed to get upset.”
“I just… God, I’ve been such a bitch.”
“No, no!” She held me at arm’s length. “You needed to know he loved you the way you love him and that’s okay. You’ve both been through so much. But it’s okay to need someone, Mya. It’s okay to give them another chance.”
I dried my eyes, clutching the bracelet charms in my hand.
“Can I see them?” Flick asked, and I uncurled my fingers. “Shall we add them to your bracelet?”
“I’d like that.” I nodded and let her do it. When she was done, I admired them. “It’s beautiful.”
“He did good. But don’t you have somewhere else to be? What does your clue say?”
“Bell’s,” I said with conviction. “He wants me to head to Bell’s.” It was the only place that made sense.