Page 46 of Paco
Take care of yourself. Mom’s calling me for dinner, so I have to go.
Hugs,
Cassie
She glanced at the door for the umpteenth time, knowing if he caught her going through his personal things, he’d be pissed.
Just one more. I swear. This time I mean it.
Opening the letter, she skimmed it, frowning. Then she read it again.
Dear Paco,
I want to tell you that you’re a wonderful person. You made me believe in myself, and I’ll always remember that. I’m sorry to tell you that I’ve met someone. I didn’t want it to happen, but it just did. We just really clicked. It’s like I’ve known Jeff for years. That’s his name—Jeff. We’re in love, and we’re going to be married. I thought I could wait for you, but it was too hard. In the time you’ve been away, the distance came between us.
I hope this doesn’t sound too callous, but I hope you’ll be happy for me. It is possible to find the one. I did, and the way women always look at you, I know you’ll find someone new in no time.
I guess that’s it. I don’t know what else to say except I hope you’ll understand. I’ll always value you as a friend.
With affection and best wishes always,
Cassie
The white piece of paper fell from Misty’s hands and she blinked rapidly.Poor Paco. While he was fighting for us, she was screwing behind his back. She wrote him a damnDear Johnletter. How fucking cold.
She stared at the scattered photographs, the envelopes, and all the silly notecards, the desire to hold him in her arms, his head pressed against her chest, overwhelming her. The past three hours had been emotionally draining.
The doorknob jiggling was like a firecracker under her butt. She leapt up, hurriedly gathering up the letters, cards, and photos and ramming them in the padded envelope. Blood rushed to her head and her temples pulsed as she shoved the envelope in the bottom drawer, straightening up just as he came into the room. He looked around, his gaze fixed on the heap of clothes on the bed.
“I was going to put things away, but I didn’t get too far. I was so tired that I took a break.”Tired from hanging up clothes? He’ll never believe that one.
He threw a box on the desk. “I got you a burner phone.”
“Oh… thanks. That’s cool.”Why is he looking so pissed off at me? Is he still upset over the kiss?
“I’m just gonna get a few things.” He went to the closet and took out a duffel bag.
Please don’t let him take anything from the bottom drawer.The manila envelope wasn’t in the same place as when she’d found it. Not by a long shot. When he bypassed the drawer, she breathed an audible sigh of relief. He narrowed his gaze and stared at her as if he were studying her. She went over to the window.
“I love the colors in the sky at sunset.” No answer. Glancing sideways, she saw he was still staring. Whirling around, she smiled. “Did you go out for a ride?
“Yeah.”
“You look like you did. I mean, you smell like the desert and the wind. Even the sunlight, if that makes any sense. And your hair’s all messy. I like it.”
He picked up his duffel bag and went to the door.
“Are you mad at me? Did I do something to upset you?”
“We gotta talk in the morning. I picked up a frozen pizza for you. It’s in the freezer in the kitchen.” He opened the door.
“Wait! What do you want to talk to me about? Did the guys change their minds about letting me stay here?”
“It’s not that. The brothers will be partying when you go downstairs, but it’s just them tonight, so you don’t have to worry. They all know you’re off-limits.”
“You guys love to party.” She laughed nervously. “Are you going to be there too?”
“I’ll have some drinks and play pool.” He gave her a hard look, and she took it to mean that he had no intention of hanging out with her that night.
“I’ll just make my pizza and watch TV.”
He lifted his chin and walked out, shutting the door behind him. She stared at the closed door for a long time as wild thoughts ran through her brain: he found out about the money she stole, he knew she’d snooped and found his envelope of memories, hereallyregretted the kiss and now couldn’t stand the sight of her. That night, sleep would evade her.
As she watched the flickering screen, she wondered where the Paco in the photographs and letters had gone.Is he gone forever, or is there a shred of him left deep inside him?And if there was, how could she reach him?
Sighing, she grabbed the remote and changed the channel.
