Setting the letter aside, Carl folded his arms around Gretchen again. “Was it worth it?” he asked.
“Loving John?” she asked. Carl nodded. A small smile crept onto Gretchen’s lips. Loving John had been a risk. She’d known that from the beginning. Even having lost the bet, she had still won something in the end. Gretchen wouldn’t trade her year with John for anything. It hurt now, but she couldn’t feel the pain of losing if she hadn’t had something to lose in the first place.
“Yes,” she said, “it was worth it.”
Leaning down, Carl kissed her forehead. His lips made her skin tingle and she felt a sliver of hope enter her heart. “I’m worth the risk, too, you know?”
“I know you are, Carl,” she said. “I know you are.”
It would take Gretchen a while, but she knew she would risk her heart again for love. She just needed a little time. Luckily, patience was one of Carl’s best qualities.
The End
of
Part One
John and Gretchen’s stories will continue in Memory’s Edge: Part 2, as they try to move on with their lives separately, which proves more difficult than either of them expect.
While you wait for Memory’s Edge: Part Two…
Check out this sneak peek of THE OBLIVIOUS GIRL’S HANDBOOK
Book 2 in The Handbook Series
(Book 1: The Crazy Girl’s Handbook, is available now from your favorite ebook retailer)
The Oblivious Girl’s Handbook
Chapter One
Hard to Fault
I stared at the three, half-filled suitcases on the bed and wondered why on earth Joseph needed so many clothes for a three-day trip. Maybe he was packing for both trips, to save time. That still seemed excessive, but he knew what he needed, I supposed. I didn’t like it when he had trips back to back, but it wasn’t up to me. He would return from his first trip while I was still in the Caribbean for my friend Greenly’s wedding, and leave for his next trip before I would get home. That trip was longer, and meant this was the last time we’d see each other for two weeks, Joseph barely making it home in time for Christmas.
Sighing, I wrapped my arms around his waist from behind and leaned my head against his back. “I wish you were coming with me to the wedding.”
Joseph’s movements slowed. “I feel bad missing it, but I couldn’t cancel this trip,” he said. “Besides, you’ll have more fun without me.”
Chuckling, I stepped back and began setting the stacks of clothes into one of the suitcases. “If you weren’t such a stick-in-the-mud when it comes to traveling, we’d both have had fun.”
“I travel for work all the time, Sara,” he complained. “It’s not what I want to do when I have time off.”
I understood what he was saying, but it was still disappointing. “Well, I’ll take lots of pictures and you can appreciate them from the comfort of the couch.”
Joseph smiled sadly. “Yeah, sure.”
Setting another stack of shirts in the suitcase, I noticed an old sweater on top and gestured at it. “You’re taking this? It’s got holes in the sleeve.” Glancing at the rest of the clothes, they seemed odd choices as well. Many of the items hadn’t been worn in years.
“Just a few things to relax in while I’m at the hotel,” he said. He stuffed the rest of the clothes into the suitcases and flipped the tops over to cover everything.
Normally, traveling for work didn’t bother Joseph, but for some reason these two back-to-back trips had been stressing him out. I’d been consumed with finals and defending my dissertation for weeks, but even with all of that I had noticed he was acting different than usual. Probably just worrying about me traveling out of the country alone. He was a seasoned traveler, while I’d only ever crossed the border into Mexico once during a spring break trip my freshman year of college.
“I’ll be fine,” I reassured him. “I have all your tips written down, my passport in my purse, bug spray for the mosquitos, and photocopies on my passport and all my other documents just in case. You prepared me well.”
Joseph’s brows knit together. “I know. You’ll be fine.”
“Then what?” I asked.
“Did you look at those condos I sent you links to?” Joseph asked.
Laughing a little, I rolled my eyes. “I’ll do it when I get back. Everything’s been so hectic the last few days, I haven’t had time. I know you’ve already picked out the one you like most, anyway. I’ll be happy with whatever you choose. You always find the best, well, everything.”
I kissed him on the cheek and turned away, only barely seeing his shoulders drop in disappointment. Why was he worrying about finding a new place now? He wouldn’t even be back in town for two weeks. That would give me plenty of time to look over the condos he liked. After the stress of defending my dissertation and handling my family, who insisted on coming to celebrate even though I wouldn’t walk for graduation until next May, I needed this trip to relax and regroup. I only had a few weeks before I started my new job as a financial analyst, which made choosing a new place to live about the last thing I wanted to worry about.
“Want me to help you get your bags to the car?” I asked.
Joseph offered a small smile. “Sure. Thanks.”
He still seemed despondent as we walked down the stairs from our second floor apartment and crossed the parking lot. Whatever he was thinking, he kept it to himself. The silence of mid-morning outside a university apartment building after the end of the semester was usually peaceful. As I handed Joseph a suitcase, it felt oppressive.
“I’ll look at the condos as soon as I get back,” I told him. “Promise. It’s nice that you want my input.”
Joseph frowned. “I want you to care, Sara.”
Surprised by the bite of his tone, I didn’t immediately reach for the next suitcase. “I do care. I just know you’ll pick something better than I would. You always do.”
Sighing, Joseph shook his head. “A condo would be our first real place together.” He gestured at the old, but fairly nice building behind us. “University housing doesn’t count. Choosing something shouldn’t just be my decision. It should be both of us.”
Although I didn’t get why he was pushing about it at that moment, I tried to understand his frustration. “I didn’t realize you felt that way. I’ll look at the condos when I get to the hotel, okay? I’ll text you which ones I like.”
Regarding me dubiously, he asked, “You will?”
“Sure.” If it was really bothering him that much, of course I would do it.
Joseph’s tense demeanor relaxed somewhat. “I better get going or I won’t have time to change clothes before my dinner meeting tonight.”
He closed the trunk lid and pulled me against him. Slowly, he kissed me. I felt how much he was going to miss me with every gentle caress. Pulling in closer, I deepened the kiss. I wished he were coming with me. Sitting on the beach with him, walking through the waves, dancing under the stars…. As much as I enjoyed Greenly’s family and friends, Joseph was the one I wanted to share those moments with.
When we finally pulled back from each other, I said, “I’ll miss you.”
Joseph chuckled. “You’ll be having too much fun to miss me.”
Rolling my eyes, I stepped back to give him room to grab the computer bag sitting by his feet. He stood, and pinned a serious gaze on me. “You need to be at the airport by one-thirty, at the latest.”
I held back the urge to shake my head at him. “I know, I know. You already programmed an alarm into my phone to remind when to leave the house. I’m not going to miss my flight.” Giving him a little shove toward the driver’s side, I said, “You’re going to miss your meeting, though, if you don’t get going.”
Opening his door, he set his computer bag on the passenger seat then looked back at me. “I hope you have a good trip.” His expression was more serious than the comment warranted, but there was simply no puzzling him out.
“You too,” I replied.
I stood and watched him go, waving as he pulled out of the parking lot and onto the street. Hopefully by the time he came home he’d be over his sullen mood. Joseph’s job paid well, enough so that he could afford an apartment or condo two or three times nicer than where we lived. He had only stayed in the university housing for me, so I could be closer to classes.
It was understandable that he was anxious to move somewhere nicer. With two good incomes, we could find something really great, maybe even buy instead of rent. Promising myself I would look over the condo choices while I waited for my flight, I headed back up the stairs to finish packing my own bags.
When I made it to the bedroom and discovered my carryon bag in the closet, I found it already weighted down. Not sure what might have been inside it, I unzipped the case and shook my head. When had Joseph packed my bag? My sweetheart of a boyfriend loved taking care of people, but I was perfectly capable of packing my own things. Hard to fault him for being nice, though.
I lugged the suitcase out of the closet and set it on the bed. I doubted he had forgotten anything—since he never did—but I sifted through the contents just in case. It was no surprise when I couldn’t find a single thing he had overlooked. All I needed was to add my toiletries and I’d be set.
It took only a few seconds to sweep my toothbrush and makeup into my travel bag. What held me up was noticing not only had Joseph taken his usual personal care items, he’d pretty much cleaned out the medicine cabinet. What is his deal with this trip? Shaking my head, again, I tossed my toiletries into the suitcase, zipped it, and set it by the door.
Glancing at my phone, I saw I still had two hours until I needed to leave and wandered into the kitchen. Eating at the airport sounded much less appealing than having some of the leftover lasagna Joseph had made the night before. Ten minutes later, I was parked on the couch, eating lasagna, and watching an episode of Grey’s Anatomy. Twenty minutes after that, I was asleep.
Look for Sara’s disastrous attempts to figure out how to take care of herself and a Siamese cat that hates her in “The Oblivious Girl’s Handbook” October 2016.
This will release in novella form in the Christmas, Pets & Kisses 2 Box Set, and as a full novel as part of The Handbook Series in November 2016.
Also by DelSheree Gladden
The Handbook Series
The Crazy Girl’s Handbook
The Oblivious Girl’s Handbook
(Coming Dec 2016)
Eliza Carlisle Mystery Series
Trouble Magnet
The Catalyst
The Ghost Host Series
The Ghost Host
Escaping Fate Series
Escaping Fate
Soul Stone
Oracle Lost
(Coming Soon)
Twin Souls Saga
Twin Souls
Shaxoa’s Gift
Qaletaqa
The Destroyer Trilogy
Inquest
Secret of Betrayal
Darkening Chaos
Someone Wicked This Way Comes Series
Wicked Hunger
Wicked Power
Wicked Glory
Wicked Revenge
The Aerling Series
Invisible
Intangible
Invincible
The Date Shark Series
Date Shark
Shark Out Of Water
The Only Shark In The Sea
Shark In Troubled Waters
About the Author
DelSheree Gladden was one of those shy, quiet kids who spent more time reading than talking. Literally. She didn't speak a single word for the first three months of preschool, but she had already taught herself to read. Her fascination with reading led to many hours spent in the library and bookstores, and eventually to writing. She wrote her first novel when she was sixteen years old, but spent ten years rewriting and perfecting it before having it published.
Native to New Mexico, DelSheree and her husband spent several years in Colorado for college and work before moving back home to be near family again. Their two children love having their cousins close by. When not writing, you can find DelSheree reading, painting, sewing and trying not to get bitten by small children in her work as a dental hygienist. DelSheree has several bestselling young adult series, including "Invisible" which was part of the USA Today Bestselling box set, "Pandora." The “Date Shark Series” is her first contemporary romance series, now joined by her first romantic comedy, “The Crazy Girl’s Handbook,” and the comedic “Eliza Carlisle Mystery Series.”
Connect with DelSheree Gladden Online
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDelShereeGladden
http://www.delshereegladden.com/
https://twitter.com/DelSheree
http://www.pinterest.com/delsheree/
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http://writepublishrepeat.libsyn.com/ (podcast)
Memory's Edge: Part One Page 29