Page 103 of Last Letters to Ara
I close my eyes in defeat, knowing what’s on the other side of that door, the only thing on this planet important enough to get me to walk away from this. My body protests as I say softly, “I have to get that.”
Theo slowly brings my shirt back down, smoothing it over with his hands, leaving me like a dejected child who’s been conned by those county fair games and just lost my chance at a giant stuffed animal.
It’s written all over my face as Theo chuckles and traces my bottom lip. “Don’t worry. We have all the time in the world.”
I slowly lift myself off of his lap, instantly feeling empty and too far away. Theo’s hand grabs mine and gives me pause. There is something so goddamn sexy about how he stands, gently tucking me into his side as he comes to open the door with me, as if I’m not the only one who can’t stomach the small distance. Theo reaches for the door, opening it like he owns the place, and I almost burst right there.
“Oh! Hey there, Theo! Ara!” Dave’s pleasant surprise leads into a smile. “I didn’t know you two were friends.”
Old man.Friendlyold man.Friendly old man who also knows Theo.My body finally registers that it is not about to get laid and starts to simmer down.
I raise my brows, looking back and forth between Theo and Dave. “You two know each other?”
Theo smiles smoothly. “We’re practically neighbors, Ara. I’m Dave’s favorite on the route.”
“That wouldn’t be possible becauseI’mdefinitely his favorite. I give him treats.”
“I don’t have to resort to bribery.” Theo looks down at me and winks. A little teasing and a single solitary wink and I’m ready to finish what we started on the couch.
“Here-here, you two,” Dave says amicably, humor in his eyes. “I could never pick a favorite.”
I remember why he’s really here when he reaches into his bag and pulls out the envelope. My eyes lift to Theo’s and gone is the dark, sexy look from a moment ago. His eyes are swimming with emotion as Dave hands me the letter, having probably connected the dots that I was receiving one of Dad’s letters.
“I’ll give you a minute.” Theo turns, but I catch his arm and shake my head.
“Stay.”
So, he does.
He stays right by my side as we say goodbye to Dave, make our way back to the couch and I open the letter.
Dear Ara,
This one, well, I’m not sure if you’re going to love me or hate me for it, but I’ve got a gut feeling that it will be the right time. That could also be indigestion from the Mexican I ate, but let’s go with a gut feeling.
I’ll never forget the first time you brought home that little cut-out of material which you made a dress out of for your paper doll, knowing right then what you were going to be when you grew up.
After years of seeing how hard you were working to learn, I decided to help as much as I could, and that was the year I got you the sewing machine. I heard that little thing going and going and going. It brings a smile to my face whenever I think about it.
Later on, we went to that fashion expo, and you took home all of that amazing material and I’d always wondered what you’d make of it.
Then I saw it. It was an accident, but it rendered me speechless.
You were still getting ready to go when I arrived at your apartment and you had me wait in the living room. The door to your design room was cracked open and it stole my breath away when I saw that silver dress.
I always knew you were talented, but Ara, that dress? It was real-life magic.
I know it’s scary, making the transition from doing something you love for fun to doing something you love with the intention of sharing it with others. But you can’t let that stop you.
You have pure, raw talent and the ability to create such beauty.
The world needs more beauty.
I remembered that pamphlet you had up on your cork board next to those pictures of New York City. I googled it. They take applicants at this time of year, and now you’re probably shitting bricks (as you say) thinking I’m going to tell you to apply.
Well, you’d be right. That’s exactly what I’m going to tell you.
That’s your task this month. Apply to that fashion school in New York that you’ve always dreamed of attending.
