Page 21 of Unburdening His Heart

“No, no nothing is wrong. I just…” I wait and wait some more. He finally clears his throat. “I just thought I’d check on you.”

“Why?” Confusion etches my face and clouds my mind. What the H.E. double hockey sticks is going on here? First, he wants to ignore me. Then he wants to drunk text me, and now we’ve moved on to actual phone calls?

“You aren’t drunk again, are you?” I don’t think he is, but I feel like reminding him of our last conversation. I’ve been unable to get this man off my mind for the past week, but that doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven him or forgotten what happened.

“Look, that’s partly why I called. I’m sorry…again. I feel like I keep saying that. And well, it isn’t fair to you. You deserve so much better than this.”

“Look, Andrew. I’m a big girl. Yeah, you were a dick, and yeah, I’m still a little sour over it, but you don’t have to keep doing this.”

He blows out a long, heavy breath. “I just wanted to say I’m sorry and that I was thinking about you. Hell, I haven’t stopped thinking about you. I don’t… I know that doesn’t change anything.” He pauses a moment. “I guess, I just wanted to hear your voice.”

My heart races and breaks at the same time.

“I…” Now it’s my turn to stumble over my words.

“You don’t have to say anything. I shouldn’t have called. Have a good night, Charlotte.” He hangs up before I can respond, leaving me dazed and confused.

What in the actual fuck?! He has to be a complete dick, and then go say sweet things like he missed my voice!

I speed into the store parking lot, slamming on my brakes and throwing the car in park in the nearest parking space. I get out, slamming my door shut and stomping across the pavement. Who does he think he is?

I run into the store like a bull in a China shop to make my purchase quickly, then run to the Mexican place next door to pick up the to-go order.

I’m back on the road in no time, speeding towards Jack’s and Andrea’s. All the while, I stew over whatever the hell that phone call was about.

I plan to find out, just as soon as I help set up the most romantic oasis for Andrea and Jack to come home to. One where Andrea is surrounded by a thousand rose petals and three dozen lit candles as the man of her dreams gets down on one knee to ask her to marry him.

I sigh, thinking about how damn sweet this will be. I’m so happy Jack trusted me enough to help him get it set up. He’s taken her out of the house for a day at the park and then to her favorite store for painting supplies.

When Jack called me about a week ago with his plan, I screamed and jumped up and down for joy so loud that I think I caused some hearing loss on both our parts. After I calmed down, he laid out the plan, and I agreed that it was absolutely perfect.

Jack wants to do it now, even with the trial going on. He said he wants to give her something else to focus on, something he’s wanted to do for months but felt like it was finally time. This is also a big fat fuck you to Christopher.

I chuckle a little at that.

I make quick work of setting up the living room. I spread the rose petals all around the entry and in front of the fireplace. Jack wanted to do this where they began. Not too long ago, we were all gathered here after Andrea’s apartment had been set on fire. Jack rescued her in time before it could take her life.

This very room is where she laid her soul bare for him and the rest of us. She told us her story. She told us her real name was Andrea, not Andi, and she recounted every horrendous detail of what Christopher did to her and why she had to run.

But all that changed that night when Jack looked at her and saw her for who she really was. A woman on the run, but also a woman with so much strength and courage. It was awe-inspiring. He gave in to his feelings for her that night, and they came together as a couple right here. He comforted her through one of her darkest days.

I wipe a tear spilling down my cheek while thinking about how far she has come. It’s hard not to think about how bad it could have been if things had gone differently. But there’s no time to dwell on that. I get up and get moving on placing the LED candles.

I check the time on my phone, cursing. “Shit!” They’ll be here in less than twenty minutes. I took too long on the errands.

I run around and place the candles all over the room, making a little walkway in the foyer. We chose the ones with batteries since fire hazards are a sensitive subject around here.

Once finished, I run over and take out the to-go containers. I arrange the tacos on the pretty platters I got. I chuckle to myself, thinking about the first meal Andrea ever tried to cook Jack. She was going for tacos but burnt all the shells.

Then I open her favorite bottle of wine and put it on ice to chill. I spin around, making sure everything is in its place. I shift around a few rose petals here or there to make them perfect. Then I stand back, taking in the room.

It’s perfect. She’s going to cry, I just know it.

I squeal, then clap. “Alright, Jack. You better make our girl happy,” I say to myself as I gently close the front door behind me, making a beeline to my car.

Hours later, I receive an ecstatic phone call from my best friend screaming that she’s engaged. We both cry with joy, happiness, and love. I couldn’t possibly be happier for my bestie.

Only when I’m lying alone in my bed in my apartment, do I let my mind wander to the other phone call I received.

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