Page 52 of An Uphill Battle

I see now that all those times you said you loved me, you meant it as more than a friend. I see now that what I tried so hard to convince myself was no-strings fun was you trying to speak the only language I’d allow you to communicatein.

So this is me, coming to you and laying myself bare in yourlanguage.

I love you, Drake Ulysses Collins. From head to toe, top to bottom, inside and out, I love you. I’m ready now for what you’ve been trying to offer. I’m ready to commit to you in every way I can, and I’m willing to do anything to proveit.

You’re my heart. My soul. My very reason tobreathe.

If you think you can find it in your heart to forgive me and to give me one last chance, meet me on New Year’s Eve at your family’scabin.

Lovealways,

Your LittleBit

P.S. If you don’t show, I understand, but I really, really hope youdo.

Ireadthe letter two more times, my unsteady hands causing the paper to shake. I can hardly believe what it says. A Christmas miracle, indeed. Folding the note back, I slide it into the envelope and then into my pocket. As lame as it sounds, I don’t want to let it out of my sight. Like somehow, it won’t be real anymore if I can’t go back and reread it, again andagain.

Which I totally do, because holy shit, she finally getsit!

29

Azalea

“Wanna meet me for lunch?”I ask Myla Rose over the phone. “We can hit up some after-Christmas salestoo.”

“Gah, I wish I could. We’re about to head over to Jake’s. Cash built the twins a fort, and they want him to come over and play with them. Swear, he’s a giant man-child.”

I laugh, because she’s right. Hesois. “That’s fine. I just wanted to ask. I missyou.”

“I miss you, too. So, what’s going on withDrake?”

“Mama D says he got my letter. But I haven’t heard anything else. So, I guess we’ll know in five days.” I sigh loudly into the phone. “Five days, Myla Rose. How on earth am I gonna make it thatlong?”

“Girl, beats me. I’d be amess.”

“I wonder what Seraphine and Mags are up to? Maybethey’ll—”

Myla Rose cuts me off. “Don’t bother. They’re staying close to home. Mr. Reynolds’s health is going downhill, andfast.”

“Crap. Have you talked to them? Do they need anything? I’ve been so consumed with my own mess that I’ve been a really crappyfriend.”

“You aren’t a bad friend, AzzyJo. And yes, I talked to her last night. They’re all set. Just want to spend a bit of extra timetogether.”

“I get that. Oh! I know!” I yell into the phone. “I’m gonna post on Facebook that I’m taking appointments tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday. Limited slots. That’ll keep mebusy.”

“Good plan, sister-girl. Heck, I might even send you Mrs. Keeler. She was telling me her husband has an office party on the twenty-ninth!”

“Myles! Yes! That’s perfect. Okay, posting now! Now, I just need to find a way to keep myself occupiedtoday.”

“You know what? Meet us at Jake’s. You know he won’tmind.”

“Are yousure?”

“Yes, ma’am. See you in an hour orso.”

* * *

Wednesday and Thursdaybleed into each other, almost feeling like repeats. Wake up, worry. Get ready, worry. Go to the salon, worry. See three clients, and worry in between them. Come home, worry. Force down some food, worry. Fall into a fitful sleep—over and overagain.

---