But is it too late to tell her the truth?
“Me too,” she says, her voice wobbly, but she seems to swallow down her pain. “Because when I told you how I felt last night, you could barely conceive that I was talking about you.” A deep breath seems to fuel her. “So how do I know if you truly want to be mine? How do I know you’re ready for whatever is beyond an understanding?”
I lean across the table, wishing I could take her hands in mine, implore her with my touch. “I do. I swear. Can we try again?”
Her lips part, but she says nothing. She glances down at the chocolates and taps the box with a red polished nail. When she looks up again, a sliver of a smile comes my way. “I don’t know, but I like these chocolates and as I eat them, I’ll think about it.”
She stands, takes the box, and leaves.
If I was confused last night, I’m not anymore.
Everything’s crystal clear. What’s especially clear is how hard it’ll be to convince her I’m worth all this trouble.
It’s going to take so much more than a box of chocolates.
But I am here for it.
44
The Great Convincing
From the Email Correspondence of Bellamy Hart and Easton Ford
* * *
Dear Bellamy,
* * *
Thank you for meeting me yesterday. I meant everything I said. I am in love with you. And I want to convince you that I’m ready.
* * *
So, consider yourself warned that it’s about to begin. I plan to prove myself to the flapper who walked into my life, since I can’t stand the thought that at the next costume party you might be the one who got away.
* * *
Easton
Dear Easton,
* * *
So, what you’re saying is you’re embarking on The Great Convincing?
* * *
Bellamy
Dear Bellamy,
* * *
Yes. It’s the era that comes after An Understanding. Or, more precisely, An Understanding with Sleepovers. Wait. Nope. It comes after An Understanding with Sleepovers Botched by The Jackass Cowboy.
* * *
For The Great Convincing, you’ll need chocolate (for sustenance), plus an eraser, a notebook, and of course, a pen.
* * *
I hope you liked the gifts.
* * *
Easton
Dear Easton,
* * *
I like the sentiment, and the gifts. I received them this morning, as a matter of fact. An eraser because you wish you could erase the other night. A pen to write a new beginning.
* * *
Very clever, very you.
* * *
But where’s the notebook?
* * *
Bellamy
Dear Bellamy,
* * *
Check the mailroom at your apartment building. The email from the delivery company says the notebook landed there.
* * *
I’m not totally on pins and needles, pacing my office, wondering what you think of every single word in it.
* * *
Easton
Dear Easton,
* * *
Aww. It’s cute when you open your heart. Was that you being all squishy and vulnerable just now?
* * *
Bellamy
Dear Bellamy,
* * *
Yes. How am I doing?
* * *
Easton
Dear Easton,
* * *
I guess we’ll have to see. How did it feel?
* * *
Bellamy
Dear Bellamy,
* * *
Hard, but good. And worth it, like you.
* * *
Easton
Dear Easton,
* * *
I could turn those words around and make a joke à la, hard but good, like you. But I’ll say this instead: This side of you is interesting.
* * *
Bellamy
Dear Bellamy,
* * *
I hope interesting is good.
* * *
Easton
Dear Easton,
* * *
Me too.
* * *
By the way, I’m at work. I have things to do for the podcast tomorrow night, so I won’t be able to check the mailroom in my building till I’m home tonight.
Looks like those pins and needles might last a little longer.
* * *
Bellamy
Dear Bellamy,
* * *
I’m willing to wait.
* * *
Easton
Dear Easton,
* * *
I’m home now, and I’m unwrapping the notebook. It has illustrations of horses on it. Nice touch, cowboy.
* * *
Ooh, there’s another notebook—one with cellos!
* * *
Okay, that’s some serious points on the convincing scale.
* * *
And, wow, your handwriting is bad. You weren’t joking. I’m going to need to use the Da Vinci code section of my brain to decipher this.
* * *
But that’s okay. I like puzzles. I think I’ll like this one.
* * *
Bellamy
Dear Bellamy,
* * *
The night I met you, I was determined to kiss you, but that wasn’t because of a bet. It was because of all the things you said to me at The Lucky Spot, when I was Jay and you were Not-Daisy.