Page 34 of Starting Anew

Jeb couldn’t have been happier when he’d watched Bethany’s guy leave her house Sundayevening, especially when it was clear he was upset. Jeb’s plan to disrupt everything and push Bethany out of her comfort zone had worked.

There was one side effect he hadn’t counted on, however.

It’d been four days, and she still hadn’t left her house. Other than a quick glimpse of her when she answered her front door for groceries or her friend, he hadn’t even seen her.

She was free now. Free to be herself. Free of that low-life she was always hanging around.

She was free to realize just how much she loved him.

But she couldn’t do that stuck in her house. Bethany had to go back to work eventually, right?

By Thursday, he was getting more than a little impatient. After sleeping in his car outside Bethany’s house two nights in a row, he’d finally gone back to his hotel last night. A shower and change of clothes had been mandatory.

He also took the time to write a letter to Bethany. At the bottom, he signed it and taped one of her guitar picks to the paper.

Now he sat in his car across the street, waiting for the right time to leave the letter. The moment presented itself when pizza delivery arrived. Jeb jumped from his car, jogged across the street, and caught the driver before he’d even gotten out of his own car.

“Hey, fella. You mind if I take that in to her?”

The driver gave Jeb a quizzical look. “I’m supposed to deliver it directly to the person who placed the online order.”

The kid was young, and Jeb had a feeling a large tip would probably persuade him. He took a twenty out of his wallet. “I’ll give you twenty bucks if you let me surprise my girlfriend. I wanted to put an engagement ring on the pizza.”

Without hesitation, the driver smiled, took the money, and handed over the pizza. “You got it, buddy. I hope she says yes.” With a tip of his hat, he returned to his car.

Jeb glanced toward Bethany’s house, thankful for the first time that she kept her blinds and curtains closed.

Once the pizza delivery kid was out of sight, Jeb went back to his car, taped his letter to the inside lid of the pizza box, and closed it again. After getting a baseball cap from the back seat, he placed it on his head, pulling the bill down far enough to hopefully hide his features.

With his stomach in excited knots, he walked to her front door and knocked.

The moment she opened the door, he breathed in the fruity scent of her shampoo and savored being this close to her. Even if she didn’t yet know who he was. Yet.

“I was about to call and see what happened. You are fifteen minutes past the time I was told it would be delivered.”

It didn’t matter what she said, the words still sounded like music to Jeb’s ears. He wished he didn’t have to wear the hat or he’d be able to see her pretty eyes better. “Sorry about that. Boss said you could have the pizza free.”

That brought a smile to her face as she reached for the box. He didn’t want her to open it until she’d gone back inside and he escaped to his car. Hopefully she wouldn’t bother checking a free pizza.

“Thank you. I should at least get you a tip.”

“Nah. It’s all covered. Have a great night.”

“You, too.” She flashed him another smile and went inside.

Jeb jogged across the street again, ditched the hat, and moved the car. The last thing he needed was for her to spot it right after getting his note.

He headed for the hotel again. Sad to leave her behind, but bolstered by finally receiving another one of her beautiful smiles.

~*~

The smell of pepperoni and olives floated from the pizza box making Lynn’s stomach rumble in anticipation. She’d been eating mostly sandwiches all week and couldn’t wait to sink her teeth into some pizza for a change. She placed the box on the coffee table where a plate, napkin, and something to drink were already waiting.

With her favorite show on and paused, she sat down eagerly and lifted the lid of the box.

Her eyes immediately went to the guitar pick with her old name on it, and she dropped the lid again. The sound of blood rushed in her ears as her heart raced. She continued to stare at the box for several moments before opening it again, careful not to touch the piece of paper.

Hunger pains were immediately replaced with nausea as she read the note.

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