Page 222 of The Way I Hate Him
I nod because she’s right. I have been looking for this. Searching for it, actually. When everyone else got letters from Cassidy, I was the one who was waiting, begging for something from her, and it’s finally here. I’m not going to dampen that gift by questioning my actions.
I sit taller and nod. “Yes, I understand you.”
“Good.” She picks up one of the presents and hands it to me. “Then let’s enjoy what she picked out for you.”
On a deep breath, and with Maggie sitting next to me, I open the first present. Just by feeling it, I know what it is.
A jar of our favorite pickles.
There’s a pink note attached to it, so I read it out loud. “‘I made Dee Dee Coleman swear to me that she’ll always have these in stock. She gave me her word. Chow down.’”
Maggie hands me the next gift, and I open it. A shirt that saysI Love Jake Ryan. A snort pops out of me before I can stop myself. I read the attached note. “‘I require you to wear this at least once a month, and you better wear it with pride because you know I’m right.’”
“She’s right.” Maggie nudges my arm.
“I beg to differ.”
Maggie hands me another package. I open it and find a vintage tablecloth with a giant coffee stain front and center. I laugh and wipe my nose with the back of my hand. “‘Found this at Days Gone By and held it for your birthday. The brown spot made me think of the brown spots you used to leave in your diaper when I changed you.’” I laugh even harder. “Oh my God, what is wrong with her?”
“That’s my favorite gift so far.” Maggie reaches into the box. “Two left.”
I open up the next one, and it’s an autographed Hayes Farrow album.
“Oh Jesus, if she only knew,” Maggie whispers as I read the letter.
“‘Don’t act like you never liked his music. I’m calling you out on it. Just don’t let Ryland catch you with this. And yes . . . I got it signed for you. You’re welcome.’”
I stare down at the picture of Hayes on the front, his leather necklace strung around his neck and gliding down his thick pecs. The scruff on his jaw that I’ve felt between my thighs, and those gray eyes that still haunt my dreams.
“Okay, enough of that,” Maggie says, taking the album. “We might still be a little raw from this situation. Actually, I think I might just keep this for myself. As a best friend, I think that’s my duty.”
I take the album from her, laughing. “Nice try. I might hate love him, but this is from Cassidy, so I’ll be keeping it.”
“Okay, but you know, I’d take on that burden if you want me to.”
“Sure.” I roll my eyes.
“Okay, last one.” Maggie hands me a flat box and rests her head on my shoulder as I unwrap it.
I pop the lid off the box, push back the tissue paper, and find a folded-up piece of paper.
“What is it?” Maggie asks.
“I don’t know,” I answer as I unfold it. It’s a document, and it takes me a few seconds to read it, but when I do, I gasp out loud.
“What is it?” Maggie asks, sitting tall and holding half of the document to get a better look at it.
“It’s . . .” My throat is clogged with emotions as I whisper, “It’s the ownership of The Almond Store. She gave it to me.”
“What?” Maggie asks, her voice rising as she takes it from me. That’s when I see the letter at the bottom of the box. While Maggie looks over the document, I read the note.
I’m sure you questioned every one of my choices, but I truly wanted to give you a moment to breathe after my death. I wanted to make sure you could focus on yourself before you focus on preserving me, and I know that’s what you would have done if I gave this to you right away. Hopefully, you’ve had some time to figure things out, to at least gather your feelings together, because Hattie Hoo, your journey is about to start.
This shop is yours.
It might have been my idea, but it was your execution that made it come to life.
I don’t want anyone else in charge of it besides you. Aubree has been holding it together, but she belongs on the farm, and you belong in this safe space we created. I know you’ll carry on my legacy within these walls. All I ask is that when Mac is old enough, you give her the chance to work here, you teach her the things I taught you, and when the time comes, you pass it on to her.
