Page 66 of Wish For Me

“Starving, now that you mention it.”

“How about I go grab some takeout? I’ll call Enzo on the way, tell him we’re spending the night.”

“Seriously?”

“Why not? We’ve got the gear upstairs.”

She laughs, suddenly almost giddy. “I’d love that.”

I can tell she wants to look through the room some more, so I insist on her staying warm while I run out to get the food.

“Oh,” I say as I lean in to kiss her goodbye. “I almost forgot.” I reach into the pocket of my coat. I hold out Noelle’s hand and place the item in her hand.

She looks down at the little coiled necklace, the clover sitting on top.

Her eyes go wide, then she smiles. “It worked.”

“It worked. It took me 240,000 miles away and brought me right back to you.” I slide my hands into that beautiful chestnut hair and kiss her as deeply as if I’m going off to war.

Outside a few minutes later, I cut across the untouched white blanket of white covering the sidewalk. Snow swirls in the light of the street lamps, the festive wreaths under them so thick with it the green is hardly visible anymore. Everything on Riverfront Drive is closed, but I think the Thai place up on Violet should be open. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it closed. It’s only half a block down from where Noelle and I met all those years ago, I realize, on a night just like this.

I’m right—it’s open. After putting in the order, I tap in a text to Larry. Once I hit send, I feel as light as the flakes whirling outside. Next I find Enzo’s number.

“Leif!” he says, answering on the first ring. “You okay? Where are you? You didn’t come home for dinner and Grandpa’s freaking out! Actually, Connie’s freaking out, Grandpa’s just sitting in his chair petting that ancient dog, telling her you got home from space, you can get around Quince Valley. Seriously, where area you.”

I laugh. “Just waiting for you to quit talking so I can tell you we got snowed in.”

“What? Are you still at the church?”

“Is it okay if we stay the night?”

There’s a pause, then Enzo laughs. “You got lucky, didn’t you?”

More than he knows.

I decline to answer. “Hey, what are your dad’s plans with the building anyway? I know you said he’s holding it, but he must have something in mind.”

Enzo and I chat for a long time. I make him wait when the bell dings.

“Order up!” the clerk says. “Be careful out there.”

I nod, tipping him obscenely. “Happy Holidays!”

By the time I get back on the phone with Enzo again, the phone tipped against my shoulder and my arms full of curry and noodles, he’s as excited as I am about my suggestion for the building.

“You love this girl, don’t you?” Enzo asks as I step over the snow bank onto the empty road.

“I do,” I say, without an ounce of hesitation. “I love her so much I just passed on the job offer of a lifetime. I’m moving here. Then I’m going to ask her to marry me.”

“Shit, Leif. When? I heard women are into Christmas proposals.”

I laugh. “Now who’s the romantic? I think…I think I’m going to tell her right now.” Yes, that feels right. “Over green curry and pad Thai.”

Enzo laughs so hard I do too. And maybe it’s because I’m laughing and juggling a big paper bag and the phone, or maybe it’s because I’m giddy in love with this woman, my mind on the future we’re going to have together. Whatever it is, I’m not as careful as I usually am.

I don’t see the headlights until I turn and they’re right next to me, lighting up my face.

I don’t feel anything either, when, for the second time in my life, gravity leaves me.

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