Crazy Stupid Love

Chapter 60: Clues Leading Me To You

People say that everything fades with time. As far as I am aware, there is only one exception: the consistent ache in your chest that comes from losing someone you love. It follows you through every area of your life as a constant reminder that a piece of your life is missing forever.

January turns into February, and February soon becomes March. My 17th birthday comes and goes, but I do all that I can to keep the festivities to a minimum. As it is my first birthday with my new family, the boys do everything they can to make sure I have a great time. After losing Rydel and Abby, along with my parents, I'm really just not in the mood.

There is one thing, however, that the excitement for has managed to break though the fortress of sadness I have been trapped within. Ross and I's first anniversary is soon; a day I have been looking forward to for months.

8am on March 16 rolls around, and sleep has long since abandoned me. Deciding I can't wait any longer, I get dressed and go find Ross.

Without knocking, I walk into the Lynch house. When I reach his room, I am surprised to find both his and Ryland's beds empty. In his place lies a white cue card on top of his neatly made bed.

Walking over, I pick up the card.

'Coffee is like your kisses. I can never get enough. I've had one latte this morning, but I think I need a _________ -R'

I can't fight the smile forming on my face as I read the note. I know this handwriting. I've seen this signature before. This is Ross.

As I chew on my lip, I ponder what the clue may mean. Am I supposed to meet him at a coffee shop? But where? Starbucks doesn't fit into the sentence, so where do I go?

Then it hits me.

After placing the envelope in my purse, I run downstairs and out the door. The place he is thinking of is in the neighborhood, so it takes me not even 20 minutes to walk there. For the entire journey I am consumed by my curiosity of what today holds. Whatever Ross has planned, it's more than I will ever be able to guess. I can't wait to meet him at the coffee shop.

As Second Cup comes into view, I begin to jog towards the doors. Pushing through them, I begin to analyze the scene around me.

The aroma of coffee beans is strong in the air around me; my ears are filled with the buzz of over a dozen conversations happening at once. I focus on each face, looking for a familiar one. I don't find the one I am looking for, but I do notice a different one.

"Emily!" I scream.

Taking off in a sprint; I run towards my best friend. When I reach her, I almost tackle her to the ground in a hug.

"I missed you so much!"

"Not that I'm complaining," I say as I pull away. "But why are you here?"

"Ross called me and asked me to come. That reminds me, we need to go."

"Go where?"

Gesturing to the window, she draws my attention to a nail salon across the street. Grinning, she takes my hand and leads me out the door.

My morning catching up with Emily was long overdue but good none the less. I still can't believe the fact that Ross has planned all of this for me. Flying my best friend out from Florida to take me to get my nails done is only the first surprise, and that is more than I could ever ask for.

We walk out of the salon about an hour later with fresh gel nails; courtesy of my lovely boyfriend. For the third time that day, I am rushed with a mix of emotions as I see the next piece of Ross' game. Rocky sitting in a parked car directly in front of the salon.