Page 368 of Small Town Firsts

While you were in the hospital, I took care of things. I took care of Rob. That jackass will never hurt you again. I made sure of it, with a little help from my dad.

That might have crossed some boundaries, but I’d do fucking anything to keep you safe. Anything.

I understand, after everything that’s happened, if you never forgive me, but please know I will love you always, and I'll be here for you no matter what.

If you find it within your heart to give me a second chance, I'd count myself the luckiest man on earth.

Yours,

Sterling

“He…he’s gone?” I ask as a whole host of emotions divebomb my heart.

Sterling stops what he’s doing and turns to fully face me. “Yes, Emmy, he’s gone.”

“And he’s not coming back? Not ever?”

“Not ever.”

I debate asking him more, but honestly at this point, I’m so relieved to know I’m out of Rob’s reach, I just…don’t. I’m sure I’ll eventually grow curious, but today’s not that day.

"Thank you," I whisper, sagging back against the couch. "For everything.” I swipe my index fingers beneath my eyes, wiping away my tears. “The flowers are beautiful.”

"I'm glad you like them. I picked each bloom myself."

"Why?"

"Well," he says, taking one sandwich from the microwave and swapping it for another. "The purple hyacinth, because it symbolizes asking for forgiveness. Yellow lilies because I'm thankful you're still here. The roses, I imagine are fairly obvious. And, the daffodils are for new beginnings. I know they don't really go together—the florist damn sure tried talking me out of it—but they all mean something and, yeah." He shrugs, trying to play it cool.

Meanwhile, I'm on the verge of tears over his thoughtfulness.

"The package next," he reminds me.

I don't know how anything could top the flowers, but I tear into it all the same.

A delighted smile lights up my face when I see the contents inside of the box. "Are you serious?" I ask.

"Very much so."

"Sterling!"

"What? I know you like them."

"This is too much," I say, gesturing to the package, which contains at least six packs of Oreos, all in different seasonal flavors.

"Speak for yourself," Stella says tartly. "I'll gladly help you eat them."

I roll my eyes at her and thank him. "Seriously, this is too much."

"There's no such thing as too much when it comes to you. Now, onto the basket."

I untie the bow from around the top of the gift basket, letting the cellophane fall away. Inside, there's an insulated mug with mountain peaks etched into it, along with the wordsfeels like home.There are also several bags of coffee from Holy Roasters along with a gift card and a new hoodie that's softer than anything I've ever felt before.

"Thank you. So much."

"I think there's one more thing," he says, trying to sound nonchalant.

I glance back down to the basket, and sure enough there's a lanyard of some sort. As I grab it, I notice there's a key dangling from the end. "What's this?"

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