by Susan Hatler
I dug into my food as I watched the beginning of the show. This episode televised our final quiz show date, then summarized all four of our dates and started showing scenes that I hadn’t even realized had been recorded.
They showed Trevor and me at the café, the attraction between us obvious. Then they played Wendy and Chase doing their own plotting at the bar of the Geoffries hotel. The two of them truly had no chemistry, though.
“Can you believe that I thought those two were the perfect couple?” I asked.
Ginger giggled. “They have about as much chemistry as a chicken wing.”
I felt a pang of sorrow because Chase and Wendy did appeare to like each other, but he couldn’t seem to get her away from her work. No wonder her face was on all of those billboards across the city. The girl was a workaholic. During one scene before we’d filmed the scavenger hunt, he had pulled her aside.
“Listen,” Chase said to Wendy, “I was wondering if you’d like to go out with me tonight.
Perhaps a late dinner?”
Wendy gave him an irritated look. “I told you I have a showing. Maybe some other time?”
After they showed the scavenger hunt, they cut to a shot of Trevor and me talking about how we were going to spend our prize money. They showed me being surprised by his generosity, but what I saw on Trevor’s face as I talked about Grammy’s bracelet wasn’t the way I’d remembered it. He seemed to be admiring my reason, like I had truly touched him. I hadn’t noticed that at the time and it made me miss him even more.
“I had no idea you were willing to spend twenty-two thousand dollars on Grammy’s bracelet,” Ginger said softly. “I didn’t realize how much it meant to you.”
“Grammy’s bracelet means the world to me. It’s like a piece of her or something. I know that sounds silly.”
“No, it’s sweet.” Her eyes watered and she squeezed my hand before turning back to the TV after a commercial break.
Instead of going to the next date competition, they inserted a scene with Trevor saying, “You don’t need your grandma’s bracelet to be brave, muffin. You can do that all on your own.”
Then the camera switched to a shot of me, saying, “I don’t know that.”
“I do. I’m sure Grammy believed in you, too. She just used the bracelet as a reason for you to believe in yourself.”
Ginger reached for my hand as she watched the scene play out. “Oh my goodness. He’s . . . wonderful.”
She was right. He was wonderful, and in contrast to that the next scene showed Wendy and Chase talking about how they planned to spend their prize money. Wendy said, “I’m going to add to my stock portfolio. Can you imagine how much it will grow with that kind of additional investment?”
Chase rolled his eyes, not even bothering to conceal his preference. He said, “I’m looking to buy a ski-in/ski-out condo in Tahoe. Can you imagine how rad that would be?”
“Who even says ‘rad’ anymore?” Ginger arched an eyebrow at the screen and I giggled.
The show wrapped up with Brandon Baker facing the camera. “The live studio audience is voting here. But you viewers at home can call in for the next ten minutes while we give you an inside look on Founding Friendships, the homeless outreach charity that benefited from this auction. Votes will be tallied, and then we will announce the winning couple.”
The segment on Founding Friendships made me feel sad and happy at the same time. Sad to see how many families were affected by homelessness as Trevor’s family had been, and happy that such a helpful charity existed. Interestingly enough, Ginger’s friend Jill Parnell had started the organization, which was now a booming success.
Finally the show went to commercial.
When it came back the camera zoomed in on a close-up of Brandon Baker. “Now the moment we’ve all been waiting for . . .” As the drumroll sounded out of the TV speakers, my name suddenly flashed across the screen alongside Trevor’s. My breath hitched, and Ginger squealed.
“We won! We really won!” I shouted, bouncing on my toes.
Ginger threw her arms around me and we jumped onto the couch screaming, and saying incoherent things. Through tears, we hugged each other over and over.
“You need to go after him.” Ginger gripped my arms, giving me a stern look that was more like the know-it-all sister I knew and loved. “You’re brave and that guy is worth fighting for.
You can do this.”
“Maybe,” I said, wondering if I should call him to congratulate him. I mean, he wasn’t exactly phoning me at the moment. Sigh. I’d blown it with Trevor, and he clearly wasn’t interested anymore.
“What are you going to do with the prize money? Are you going to buy Grammy’s bracelet?”
Ginger asked.
“I—I don’t know,” I stammered. That’s what I had planned to do all along if I won the money, but now I didn’t think that was the best choice.
When I searched my heart for what I should do the answer instantly became clear. I was going to donate my prize money to the Founding Friendships homeless outreach program so that the funds could help people the way they’d helped Trevor’s family.
Closing my eyes, a warm feeling washed over me and I knew without a doubt that Grammy understood my decision. I also felt her whispering that she was proud of me.
****
I sat in my car for a moment, staring at the twenty-five thousand dollar check in my hands.
This was probably the only time in my life that I’d have this much money in my possession at once. Let’s face the facts: this would buy a lot of freaking massages.
Yet . . . I didn’t feel the pang of sadness that I’d thought I’d feel when I decided to donate the money to Founding Friendships. Maybe Trevor had rubbed off on me or maybe I had actually grown as a person. Maybe a little of both.
I got out of my car and headed into the studio. The show asked me to give Founding
Friendships the check here so they could film the donation for their follow-up segment. Once inside, the director of the homeless outreach program—a guy named Bob—greeted me with a huge grin.
“This is very generous of you, Mary Ann.” Bob shook my hand, then a photographer snapped a picture of me signing over the check.
“So, what did you think of the show?” Theodore Rollins, Romance Revealed’s producer, asked me. “I know you had some reservations about dating the bachelor initially.”
A bittersweet pang hit me as I handed over the check. With a wistful smile I thought of Trevor. “The show was . . . the best time of my life.”
As I drove away, I felt good. I knew I’d done the right thing and that Grammy would’ve understood my decision. Still, I needed to see her bracelet one last time. Just to say goodbye. The drive to the jewelry store was short and I managed to find a nearby parking space along the curb.
My cell phone rang as I was getting out of my car, but I ignored the call since I was on a mission.
I strode into the jewelry store, nodding to greetings from salespeople as I went to the exact display where I’d seen Grammy’s bracelet before. Taking a breath, I peered behind the glass. I scanned inside several times, only . . . the bracelet wasn’t there. Panic gripped my chest, making it hard for me to breathe.
Trying not to run, I hurried toward the first employee I saw. “There used to be a bracelet in that display cabinet and I need to see it.”
“Ah, the Arthur Arrington. I’m sorry, miss. But we recently sold that piece. If you’d like to speak to the owner about it, I can get her for you.”
“Yes, please,” I murmured. When the owner caught sight of me, I caught her eye roll, but I plunged ahead. “I know it’s asking a lot but do you think I could have the name of the person who bought my grandmother’s bracelet? I just want to see it one last time. To . . . say goodbye.”
“You know I can’t do that for you. A gentleman bought the bracelet for his girlfriend. It would be unprofessional of me to give you his name and highly intrusive of you to track him down.
I know that bracelet meant a lot to you but it’s time to let it go.”
I knew she was right, but that didn’t stop tears from pricking my eyes as I thanked her for her time and walked out of the store. Grammy’s bracelet was gone. I’d blown it with Trevor. I’d never been so brave in my life, nor as miserable.
Pulling out my phone I listened to my voicemail from the call I’d ignored. It was a message from my insurance agent:
“We were just informed that the claimant’s car is ready for pick-up. I just got off the phone with him since he’d called to thank us. Can you imagine? He’s on his way to get his car now, which prompted me to thank you for the police report and for your cooperation in getting that done. You’d be amazed at how many people don’t follow through with important details. They just hand each other their insurance cards, which often creates such a nightmare for us. Anyway, thank you again. We also wanted to let you know that since your policy has accident forgiveness and since this is your first accident your insurance rates won’t go up. Hope you have a nice day.”
Nice day because my rates wouldn’t go up? Ginger would tell me I should be happy about that but I was beyond sad. Who cared that the claimant had called to thank her when I’d lost the one guy I’d ever truly cared for? My breath hitched as I realized that the woman had been talking about Trevor. He was the claimant!
I had nearly forgotten that the accident was how we’d initially met. I’d thought he was so stuffy and formal at first, which actually turned out to be true. He was totally that way—extra careful and cautious—because of the many challenges that his family had faced when he was a kid.
His past hadn’t just made him stuffy, though. It had also made him sensitive. He could see others suffering, and he wanted to help. There weren’t many people like him in the world. I swallowed hard against the pain of losing him.
I glanced back at the jewelry store. There had been so much loss for me lately, and yet I had also gained a lot too. I had learned that I was capable of more than I’d ever thought possible. I could be brave when I needed to be, and now I knew I’d always had that ability. Grammy had recognized that all those years ago, and she’d given me the bracelet so I would believe it too.
Only I’d misinterpreted things, thinking I needed the object instead of relying on what was inside of me all along.
“Thank you, Grammy,” I whispered, glancing up at the sky. Then I darted to my car for what I needed to do next. The auto body shop that the insurance agent mentioned Trevor had used was only five blocks away. The call hadn’t come that long ago, which meant I might still have a chance to catch him if I hurried.
I didn’t have a plan. All I knew was that I had to try something.
****
I felt like I was in one of those action movies with an epic car-chase scene as I squealed to a stop in front of the auto body shop, nearly running right into Trevor. He’d been walking from the auto body shop’s office and stood in the parking lot, staring at me as if majorly surprised.
But he knew I could be impulsive and he’d liked me anyway. . . .
I yanked my keys out of the ignition, and scrambled out of the car. There was a clouded expression on Trevor’s face, and I worried that he wasn’t especially thrilled to see me. And yet, there was something in his eyes that made me hopeful.
“I almost hit you again. Wouldn’t that be ironic?” I asked with a slightly hysterical giggle. “I doubt I’d rank very high on your risk management assessment, huh? I mean I would be a high risk. I can’t just go around ramming into cute guys whenever I want to meet them, can I?” I paused to take a deep breath, my throat tightening as I decided to be the bravest I’d ever been by saying how I truly felt even though he might reject me. “I’m really sorry I jumped to conclusions when I saw you at lunch with Wendy. I never should’ve doubted you. Can we start over? Pretty please with a biscotti on top?”
Trevor had a slight frown on his face, and I wondered if I was too late. I wanted to shake his arm and force him to tell me what he was thinking, but instead I just held my breath waiting for my fate as my heart pounded wildly.
He stepped toward me, gaze intent on mine. “I don’t want to start over.” His tone was firm and hearing him say those words was like having someone crush my soul. Maybe crush was too nice of a word. I felt shattered when he reached for me. “I’d rather we just go from here, because getting rear-ended by you is the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
Tears blurred my vision and I was so confused. “What are you saying?”
A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I don’t want to start over because I don’t want to lose all we’ve built. You’re the most amazing person I’ve ever met, Mary Ann. You’re bubbly and fun. And honestly, you’ve made me realize that there is so much more to life than keeping everything neat and tidy and safe.”
“I—I don’t know what to say.” I babbled, shaking my head. “I thought I’d lost my chance with you for good. You’re going to have to give me a chance to wrap my head around this.”
He took a step closer, and lifted my hand. “You’ve taught me to reach for the things I love.
Like how you kept reaching for your Grammy even though she’s physically gone.”
I glanced down to where his hand held mine, astonished that he was telling me that I had helped him when he’d touched my life in every way possible.
His thumb brushed the top of my hand sending tingles up my arm. “Thanks to you, Mary Ann, I decided to buy the house I’ve had my eye on for awhile now. I hadn’t wanted to purchase a home, because of my fear of losing it like when I was a kid. But you taught me that taking risks can bring the best things in life, and disasters can too. Like being rear-ended by you.”
My heart was hammering so hard in my chest that it actually hurt. I tilted my head, giving him a side-glance. “I’ve missed you, hot stuff.”
His gaze pierced mine. “I’ve missed you, too.”
I let out a nervous laugh, realizing how lucky I was to have rear-ended this wonderful man.
Then I swallowed. “I went to see my Grammy’s bracelet. Just to say goodbye, you know? But it was gone. And all I wanted to do was call you, and curl up in your arms.”
“I’m sorry you were sad.” He pulled me to him, holding me against his chest. “I know how much her bracelet meant to you.”
“You know what? You taught me a few things too,” I said with a shaky smile. My emotions were threatening to overwhelm me, and I was determined not to cry. “Like how I can love an object, but people are more important. Specifically you are more important.”
We stood there staring into each other’s eyes until a car beeped that we were in its way and we had to move to the sidewalk. Trevor kept caressing my hand with the pad of his thumb, and delicious shivers danced along my spine. I was amazed at how connected to him I felt. Not just in that moment, but in every way. It was a connection that stretched out in every direction, seemed to consume every thought, every emotion that I had.
“Besides.” I shrugged, glancing up at him. “Even though Grammy’s bracelet was gone, I had already donated the money to Founding Friendships.”
“You did?” Trevor seemed surprised, but his mouth curved upward and I could tell how much it meant to him. “That’s incredibly generous, especially since you were giving up something that meant so much to you.”
“Like I said, you mean way more. Besides someone I admire a whole lot gave me some perspective on why helping others is more important.”
“I really admire you for doing that,” Trevor said softly. “That means more to me than you’ll ever know, Mary Ann. You made such a hard choice.”
I shook my head. “It wasn’t hard, though. Not when I thought about you.”
“Thank you, muffin.” He brought my fingers to his lips in a gentle kiss. “Family and love are important, though, and I never want to minimize what Grammy’s bracelet means to you.”
“Meant to me.” I sighed, closing my eyes
a moment. “I’ve made my peace that it’s gone now. You know, I think Grammy would’ve approved of the way I spent my share of the prize money.”
“Me too,” Trevor agreed. “But you know what else I think?”
I gazed up at him, swooning and happy. “Hmm?”
He brushed my cheek. “I think she’d want you to have her bracelet too.”
My brows came together in confusion as I watched him reach into his jacket pocket, and pull out a small, velvet box. My heart fluttered. “What is that?”
“A gift for you,” he whispered, his voice deep and gravelly.
I cracked the box open carefully. Inside on the velvet sat the most beautiful piece of jewelry I’d ever seen—a bracelet with connected gold circles, each one containing a sparkling ruby in its center encrusted by diamonds. Grammy’s bracelet.
“Trevor . . .” My eyes watered immediately. “What? How?”
“After the scavenger hunt, I went back to the jewelry store and bought it for you.” His gaze held mine, all of the emotion alive between us. “You stole my heart, so I thought it was only fitting to give you a piece of yours that was missing.”
“I feel the same way about you.” My hand shook as Trevor clasped the bracelet around my wrist. The metal hummed against my skin as if knowing it belonged there. “So where do we go from here?”
“Anywhere we want.” Trevor grinned as he cupped my face in his hands, then pressed his mouth to mine in the sweetest kiss I’d ever known. He brushed his lips against mine over and over. I didn’t know where we were headed but for the first time in my life I felt safe and strong, loving and being loved.
THE END
If you enjoyed spending time with these characters, be sure to read Wendy’s story in: