Read 53 Letters For My Lover for Free Online Page B

for the alarm and lock the door behind me.
    A dark sedan pulls up beside me. The driver unrolls the passenger side window.
    “Shayda.”
    I peer into the car. “Troy? What are you doing here?”
    “Get in.” He unlocks the door.
    “I’m on my way home.”
    “This won’t take long.”
    “Is there a problem?” I ask. The closing on his loft went through without a hitch.
    “No.” He dangles the keys in front of me. “Just picked them up from the lawyer. Now will you get in before Hulk Hogan back there decides to have a go at me?”
    I glance at the driver of the car waiting behind him. The thought of Troy’s impeccably fit six foot frame being tossed around like a Saturday morning cartoon is a bit far-fetched, but amusing.
    “Why do I get the feeling that you’d enjoy seeing me get roughed up?” he says.
    “What do you want?” I ask, getting in.
    “I have something for you,” he replies, indicating the back seat.
    I see a round mesh box, wrapped with a satin ribbon.
    “What is it?”
    “Something that needs our immediate attention.” He pulls out of the parking lot and takes the highway.
    “Where are we going?” I ask.
    “Would you quit with the twenty questions and just relax?”
    I sit back and look out the window as the fall foliage whizzes by in spectacular streaks of red and yellow. It’s easier than dwelling on how good he looks in a leather jacket. He takes the exit a few minutes later and turns into a quiet park.
    “Come.” He grabs the box and walks me to edge of a big pond that mirrors the blazing colors of the trees around us. We follow a path up the hill, where a slight clearing gives way to a breathtaking view of the ravine.
    “Wow.” I take in the meandering silver of the Don River as it cuts through the valley, flanked by golden oaks and maples and birch. “It’s like we’re not even in the city. How did you find this place?”
    “I come here for my daily run,” he replies. “Here.” He hands me the box. “A little something for you. Make a wish before you open it.”
    “What?”
    “Close your eyes, make a wish and then open the box.”
    “This is silly,” I reply.
    “Do it.”
    I take a deep breath and close my eyes. Then I untie the ribbon and peek inside.
    A brilliant flash of red flutters inside.
    “Oh my god!” I snap the lid shut. “Is that...is that a butterfly?”
    He smiles at my obvious delight.
    “What am I supposed to do with it?”
    “You’re supposed to release it.”
    I peek into the box again. “It’s a Monarch! I’ve never seen one this color before. Where did you find it?”
    “I happened to be frolicking through a field of wildflowers and there it was. And wouldn’t you know it? I just happened to have a butterfly net.”
    “Troy.”
    “I made a few phone calls.” He fesses up.
    “But why?”
    “Remember that first time we met? By the sidewalk outside Bob’s house?”
    “Yes?”
    “I lied. There was no butterfly. I made it up.”
    “Why would you do something like that?”
    “Because you were about to bolt and I wanted you to stay.”
    My heart stops, and then slams hard and fast against my chest, my thoughts racing back to that sunny morning in June.
    It was a long walk from the bus stop to Bob’s house. My hands were heavy with the contracts he needed for the day. I heard someone running behind me. Two girls, walking in the opposite direction, all long legs and bouncy hair, passed me by. They smiled. I smiled back, but quickly realized they were smiling at whoever was behind me.
    “Morning, girls.” The tone was bold, appreciative and wickedly playful.
    The girls giggled and walked on. The footsteps behind me slowed, then started up again.
    The next instant, I felt myself being knocked off my feet. I landed on my knees, papers flying everywhere.
    “Whoa! Are you all right? I didn’t see you there.”
    Of course not. Why would he? He was too busy checking out the girls over his shoulder, enjoying the rear view.
    He chased