Life Lost and Found

EPILOGUE: I Won't Tell if You Don't

Sometime in August

As usual, the walkways outside the Knight Library filled with students, each hurrying someplace different. Mark Alister watched them from his favorite place, an old wooden bench on the library's front patio.

He tapped his pencil lazily on the physics textbook open in his lap. Physics was hardly his forte, and he was having a hard time focusing.

A summer breeze stirred up a handful of leaves on the spacious quad before him, spinning it around in a whirlwind. The bright afternoon light made everything feel warm and comfortable, and he lost himself in the moment. He felt comfortable and daydreamy, the details in his surroundings becoming more pronounced—a distant laugh, the ruffle of leaves in the wind, the far-off roar of an airplane, the feel of the bench, the breath in his lungs, the sound of footsteps as someone passed right behind him. He followed the whirlwind of leaves across the quad until it dissipated, and all too soon, the moment did too.

But, something was different for him having been lost in it. He couldn't say what. But it felt important.

●●●

Madeline Parker peeked from behind a tree, her heart slamming in her chest. To her knowledge, she hadn't been this close to Mark Alister in almost a year. And here she was! Behind him! So close she could throw something at him! She was tempted to blow everything and announce herself right there, but... No, she would stick to the plan.

Summoning every ounce of self-control she had, Madeline remained quiet and waited for Gina to return. When she did, they quickly made for the library entrance.

Inside, Madeline braced herself on the single, short crutch she used these days, and worked to catch her breath. "That was amazing! He didn't notice you at all! You should do this more often. Start a business. 'Gina's Stealth Delivery Service: You literally won't see it coming!'"

Gina nodded with satisfaction. "Yes, that went well. So, now we wait?"

Madeline took a steadying breath. "Now we wait."

●●●

Mark sighed, deciding it was time to get back to work. He reached to his right for his notebook—but he found something else. On top of it was an envelope, and on top of that was a white lily.

He blinked with surprise, making sure he was completely awake. He must have seriously spaced out if someone could have left this without him noticing.

He glanced around with pleasant suspicion, hoping to find whoever had left the surprise. But the culprit wasn't around. At least, she wasn't making herself obvious.

He transferred the flower and envelope to the open book in his lap. The envelope was thick, and it rattled a little. Curious, he tore off the side and emptied its contents into his hand. There was a folded note and a small package of M&Ms. He unfolded the paper.

Dear Mark,

I won't tell if you don't.

There was no name indicating the sender. He picked up the envelope and flipped it over. No name there, either. Who had given him this?

"I won't tell if you don't," he read it aloud.

Hmm. He looked around one more time and again didn't find anyone he knew. The rush of students had dispersed, and there were only a few people sitting on the steps here and there, or coming and going from the art museum across the way.

Okay, this had to have been Rita's doing. She'd been trying to get him back ever since they'd broken up, and this was certainly something she would do. But, what did it mean?