Page 93 of Anteros' Return

“Of course I will. I’ll make yours extra special.”

“Goodnight, cupcake. See you in two days.” He smiled, barely able to hide how ready he was to come back.

“See you in two days.” I replied, mirroring his happiness.

I hung up the phone and clutched it to my chest, thoughts of him coming home for the rest of the season replaying in my mind. I didn’t know what our future looked like but we’d work it out together.

We weren’t destined to be alone anymore.

And that night, with Beckett’s arrival fresh on my mind, I slept better than I had since he left.

After dropping Liam at school, I busied myself with the huge order I had received a couple of days ago. I was thankful for it to be honest. It kept me from counting the hours until Beckett came home.

I was loading the first batch into the oven as the clock hit nine when there was a knock at the door. I wiped my hands on the tea towel on the counter before hurrying to answer it. Pulling the door open, I was greeted by the biggest bouquet of sunflowers I’d ever seen.

“Delivery for Miss Ryton,” the young guy hidden behind the bouquet managed to say.

“That’s me, thank you.” I took the flowers from him with a surprised smile before kicking the door carefully shut.

I placed them on the table next to the door, retrieving the card to

read.

Cupcake, the first year I was away from you, it practically killed me. I felt as though I was missing half of me, missing the one true love of my life. I love you x

I smiled to myself, holding the card close to my heart. I moved the flowers to the middle of the kitchen table before admiring them and quickly typed a message to Beckett.

Thank you for the flowers. They’re beautiful x

I prepared the second batch of cupcakes for the oven as I tidied up behind myself to make it easier for the next dozen to go in.

I was in my zone until I was pulled out of it by another knock at the door. I glanced at the clock on the wall.Nine-thirty.

Walking out and opening the door, I was greeted by the same delivery guy with another bouquet of flowers.

“Another delivery, Miss Ryton.” He smiled through the pain that was clearly radiating through his arms from holding the vase.

“Thank you.” I took the second bouquet, quickly reading the card that was attached.

Em, the second year I was away from you was as awful as the first. It never got any easier, and I never knew I could miss someone as much as I missed you. I love you x

I couldn’t believe he had sent two bouquets in an hour. He was crazy, adorable, and downright cute.

But it didn’t stop there… Over the next three hours there was a knock on the door every thirty minutes, each bouquet with a different card.

10 a.m. - delivery three

My love, the third year away from you was one of the worst. The only way I could ease the loneliness thatconsumed me was to imagine your smile, the one you used to reserve for just me. I love you x

10:30 a.m. - delivery four

My emerald-eyed beauty, the fourth year sucked just as the last ones had. Every goal I scored was for you whether you knew it or not. You were my one and only thought while I was on that pitch. I love you x

11 a.m. - delivery five

My one and only, I thought that by the fifth year, I’d have learned to live without you, but I was wrong. It never got easier, the missing only got worse. I love you x

11:30 a.m. - delivery six

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