Roses

Chapter 42

Zoey

"Thank you," I mutter as I take the package from the delivery man. He's one of the regular ones. The first time he arrived with something, I argued for at least thirty minutes that it wasn't mine. And now, I just take it. Sometimes with a smile. I like to believe our bond is growing.

I rip open the package on my way to the kitchen. It turns out to be a digital reader. It comes with a note.

I DOWNLOADED ALL THE BOOKS I'VE SENT YOU, IN CASE YOU PREFER E-BOOKS. 

THINKING OF YOU. WAITING FOR YOU.

PLEASE CALL ME.

I LOVE YOU,

YOUR ADAM

I pour a vodka shot and down it, letting the liquid burn my insides.

It has been a month since the Round The Clock incident. He has sent me so much stuff, I'm worried my house will start looking like one of the houses from that hoarders show.

The first couple of times I received something, I got so angry I needed a drink to calm myself. But now, it's different. The vodka shot almost felt.... celebratory.

Ever since Jack went back to New York, I've been alone. I quit "my job", for obvious reasons. (Not that that has stopped Adam from sending my salary every fortnight.) So I don't see Abraham or anyone else from the Thorns household. And I can't help but feel lonely.

Every time I read one of his notes that accompany the presents, I can feel my hate chipping away. I don't know if it's a good or a bad thing. I know the only way to move on is by forgiving. But I'm not sure if this is going in that direction.

I don't want to forgive him to move on. I want to forgive him to move back.

I still have his suit jacket from the night he first kissed me. I have found myself hugging it more times than I can count in the last few weeks.

I take my place back at the kitchen table where I was writing my book before the delivery. In a shocking turn of events, all the agents that rejected my work in the past reached out to me, asking for my current work. I'm convinced he has something to do with it. Another major reason why.... I want to let go. Of the past. And of the hate.

I start typing again. The only escape from my confusing feelings comes in the form of writing these days, which is fine by me. Whatever gets me to finish my book.

The doorbell rings again. That's a first. He never sends two things so close together.

I'm pleasantly surprised when I see Sam at my doorstep.

"Hello, Miss K-," he stops abruptly and murmurs, "Zoey."

"Hello, Sam." I smile. And then before I forget, I ask, "How's your arm?"

He looks down at his left arm like he forgot he had it. "Oh this? Good as new." As if to prove it, he lifts and twists it.

"I never got to... thank you," I say in a low voice, a little ashamed of how I cut everyone off when things with Adam fell apart. "Thanks for saving me."

"It was Mr. Thorns who saved you. I just tagged along." He looks down and adds, "He misses you... a lot."

I miss him too.

"Would you like to come inside?" I step aside.

"I, uh, actually brought someone. I think he wants to speak with you alone first," he looks at me sheepishly and then gestures to the car parked behind him. Its back door opens then and Abraham steps out.