Page 79 of Art of Love
So, why would John give us both a clue that only I could guess?
My jaw dropped as I figured it out. I just realized it all and understood what this meant.
He threw me a rope that only I could catch if I figured it out. But there was more. It was still vague. There was something that happened in 1999, and whatever it was that changed his life forever was the worst thing to happen to him.
I looked at Hunter, who sighed next to me in frustration.
“I don’t get it. I feel that there’s nothing to get. What kind of a bloody joke is this?”
A lump formed in my throat as I watched him.
I stood up needing to ... clarify my thoughts.
“Hunter, I have to go somewhere.”
“Sure, love. You okay?” Concern filled his eyes.
I nodded. “Yeah, I’ll call you later.”
“Sure you’re okay?”
No, the truth was I wasn’t okay. Not at all, because if I was right, this was looking like John was giving me the choice to do something I could never have the heart to do.
Either I could keep the information to myself and watch the man I... God... the man I loved follow a path that led to nowhere.
Or I could tell him.
Telling him would instantly rob myself of any chance I had for myself.
“I’m okay,” I answered and left.
Time to speak to John.
***
John was in his office.
I was surprised he was here on a Sunday afternoon, but then it was just like him to be here working. Since there was next to no traffic on the road, it didn’t take me long to get here.
He smiled when he saw me.
When I called him, he’d said to come straight up when I got here.
“I was beginning to wonder when I’d see you.” He pointed toward the empty chair in front of him for me to sit.
The last time I was in here was that first day when I’d found out Hunter was my competition.
“John, I’m not sure if I imagined the answers to those last clues. I kind of hope I did.”
He chuckled. “Why’s that, my girl?”
“Can you just confirm for me, so I don’t jump to conclusions?”
“Fire away.”
I swallowed hard and pulled in a deep breath. “I heard a jingle in the soundtrack for thePieces of Purpleexhibition, and I remembered you saying to me before I left that your life changed forever in 1999. You said the whole year was bad, so I take it the worst thing must have happened to you then.”
Although he smiled, there was a sadness in his eyes. The kind I recognized in my own. The sadness caused by loss.
