Page 1 of Lovestruck at Sundown
PROLOGUE
I lift myhand in front of my face and see the edges outlining my fingers glistening with a faint, white glow. A tall white wall of the same gleaming texture materializes in front of me and a door appears right in the middle.
I reach out for the silver knob, but the door slides open as if sensing my curiosity to see what lies inside. I step in and everything is white—white, impeccable floors, four white walls, two white chairs, and one white door at the far end of the room.
My finger slides over the chair’s tubular backrest, which feels cool and smooth to the touch, almost like ivory. And I sit and wait because it feels like that is what I have to do. Wait. Wait for something to happen. Or someone.
The wall opposite where I came from glimmers a bit brighter, framing the door’s outline. It’s time. For what, I am not yet sure. But I can feel it is.
The door glides open, and Caleb steps in. He’s wearing his usual black suit, crisp white shirt, black tie, and black shoes. The contrast of his outfit against the pure white around us is stark and almost startling.
He sits across from me. He smiles and it warms my heart. “Hi,” he says simply.
“Hi.” I smile back. “I miss you.” I don’t try to reach out to him, not because I don’t want to, but because I don’t know if I can. However, his presence is enveloping me in a soothing, loving way. It’s like he or some invisible force I can’t see or even begin to describe is somehow keeping my feelings wrapped around a cloak of serenity.
I am at peace.
“I miss you too, Red.”
“Where are we?” I ask, looking around and failing to discover anything beyond the four walls surrounding us.
“Just here. Together,” he replies vaguely. “I wanted to say goodbye and was given permission to do so today. So here we are.”
Goodbye. A faint feeling of dread threatens to overtake me, but Caleb leans in and places his hand on my knee, making it disappear in an instant.
“Are you going somewhere?”
“Yes.” He chuckles and tips back on his chair. “Going back, that is. It’s nice. You would love it.”
“Can I come?” If wherever he’s going feels remotely close to how this white room feels like, then I want more of it.
“You certainly cannot.” He chuckles again, his hazel eyes shining brighter and clearer than ever. “You still have unfinished business. Plenty, if you ask me. Seems like you’re going to be occupied for a long, long time.”
“And what aboutyourunfinished business?” I ask. “Can’t you come back with me? I need you. I always do.” My voice quakes inside my throat, and my eyes sting around the edges, but Caleb reaches out for my knee again and keeps it there. I take a deep, calming breath.
“Youwere my unfinished business,” he says. “From the moment I met you. I did my part. You’re safe. You get to live, so it’s time to say goodbye.”
Goodbye again. The word resonates inside me, but Caleb’shand keeps me anchored, and the feeling doesn’t overwhelm me this time.
Realization hits me. I’m dreaming. I’m making this up. This is not real.
“We’re running out of time,” he says, looking over his shoulder at the slightly open door behind him. “We’ve idled too long.” He braces his forearms over his knees and grabs my hands. “I love you, Red.”
“And I love you,” I say. “Are you sure you can’t come or that I can’t stay? I could stay.”
“No.” He shakes his head once, his tone firm. “They’re calling me. It’s time.”
The faint sound of a ringing phone fills the room, beckoning me to stand. “Caleb.” He stands too, puts his arms around my shoulder, pulls me in for a hug.
“I’ll always look after you,” he says in my ear, the muffled sound of the ringing phone becoming clearer and more piercing. “I can’t be around all the time. But I’ll visit you whenever I can, and even if you won’t be able to see me, you’ll know I’m right there with you.”
He breaks the embrace and glances over his shoulder again. “It’s time.” The phone rings again. The corner of his lips quirks up into a smile. “Goodbye.”
“Goodbye.”
He walks away, crosses the threshold, and the door clicks shut behind him.
Ring.
