Page 76 of Stolen Goods
Every time she got in the car, she saw him behind the wheel. Every time she opened a guide to Europe, that annoyingly persistent Paris dream resurfaced. Every time she washed her new short hair, she imagined his hands running through it. Every time she went to bed, his arms were somehow wrapped around her. In the darkness, his heart beat steadily in her ear. Thad was a brand permanently seared onto her skin. Each day, a new memory flared, igniting the mark, burning it deeper into her flesh. Right now, as she stared at Jo, her body scorched, on fire.
Addy stepped forward into the hallway and closed her apartment door behind her. “You were with him? How is he?”
“He’s okay. Going a little stir-crazy maybe, but I got him some paints…” Jo tugged at a strap on her shoulder, drawing Addy’s attention to the tube behind her back. She’d recognize the shape of it anywhere.
“What’s that?”
Jo sighed. “I told him I wasn’t sure this was a good idea, but he said he promised, so he made me promise. So, well—here.” She shoved the art tube into Addy’s arms and pulled an envelope from her purse. “He wrote something too. But you don’t have to read it if you don’t want to. You don’t have to even open it or look at it or—”
Jo shut up when Addy ripped the letter from her hands. She tore it open, greedily unfolded the single page, and devoured every word.
Dear Addison,
I’m not really sure what to say, which you’d know if you were in this room with me and could see the hundred or so little balls of scrunched paper by my feet. But this is the last piece, so I guess, whatever I write, it will have to do. Eloquent, huh?
I never said words were my strong suit, but I think when you look at the painting, you’ll understand what I’m trying (unsuccessfully) to explain. You said you wanted an original. I’m not sure what that means yet. But that night with you was the happiest and the most content I think I’ve ever felt, so I figured it was as good a place as any to start.
If you never want to speak to me again, I understand. Jo said you did a good job with the interview. I couldn’t bring myself to watch. I guess I was worried you’d be too convincing—that maybe you’d fool even me. And I didn’t want that. Our time together, it meant a lot to me, more than I think you’ll ever know.
I guess what I’m trying to say is, even if nothing else, I hope when you look at this painting, it’ll bring a smile to your face. Because that’s what thinking of you, and thinking of this night, does for me.
A promise is a promise—you better hold up your end of the bargain.
- Thad
Addy pressed the paper to her heart and took a deep breath as a wave of longing crashed over her, so intense she had to lean against the door for support. Jo didn’t say anything. She waited silently for Addy to compose herself. When the rush settled to a dull ache, Addy opened the art tube, pulled out the canvas, and gently unrolled it, already aware what she’d see.
The Grand Canyon.
But not any view—the view of sun-drenched rock in the distance, with an evergreen sea before and a sapphire sky above. The brushstrokes were soft and romantic. The colors were tranquil and subdued. It was almost as though the entire landscape held its breath, teetering between fear and freefall, hovering in that split second when everything seemed possible and nothing was too far out of reach, when hope burned as brightly as the sun just before it sank beneath the horizon and the stars took its place, allowing room to dream.
Addy knew what Thad was trying to say.
His soul was bared on the canvas.
I love you.
It was crazy. It was ludicrous. They’d only known each other for a few rushed days, and yet her heart pinched, whispering the words,I love you too.
“If there’s anything you want to tell him,” Jo murmured, not wanting to intrude, “just let me know. I can get him a message.”
Addy nodded and opened her mouth, but nothing came. She didn’t know if it was enough. Was love enough? Was it, when there was so much uncertainty? Addy was leaving for Europe tomorrow, no idea when she’d be back. Thad was hidden away by witness protection, not allowed contact with the outside world. He had two dozen trials he had to partake in before he even had a chance at freedom—and a small one at that. Would he go to jail? For how long? Was she prepared to wait for him? To date a known felon? To put herself back in his world and all the dangers that came with it? All because of a love that had burned so bright but so quick, like a comet in the night, there and gone in the blink of an eye?
Would it even last?
Could it?
“I—” Addy shook her head, dizzy with all the questions.
“What are you two doing out there?” Edie tipsily called out.
“Coming!” she shouted, voice panicked.
“You don’t have to tell him anything,” Jo cut in, sensing her tone. “Some things just aren’t meant to be. And that’s okay. It doesn’t take away from what they were.”
But she had to say something, anything.
“Tell him—” She shook her head, struggling for clarity. “Tell him I’m going to Paris.”
