Page 109 of Promised Love

I need to tell him what I want, what I desire.

I open the nightstand, and there’s the page from last night that I tucked in here earlier during the day. I leave it there and grab the letterhead and pen and start writing.

My words bleed onto the page, but my heart doesn’t hurt, and the paper doesn’t get wet with tears like last night.

I feel liberated as I put my feelings into words.

When I finally put the letterhead back into the drawer, I know what I want, and this time I’m going to speak up.

37

AUTUMN

“I can’t believe we’re going to meet Dreamcatcher.” Chiara refreshes her lipstick one more time.

Before leaving for the airport, Gavin mentioned that we shouldn’t do the introductions at the front door, as it would just bring unwanted attention. So now Chiara and I are bursting with nervous energy as we wait in my office for Minnie.

My best friend paces nervously, ready to pounce on our guest whenever the front door opens, so I tell her one more time, “Maya called again a few minutes back, reminding us that Minnie is very shy. It’s important that we keep her identity a secret, Chi. That means we have to keep the fangirling in check.”

“Oh God! I can’t believe we’re calling her Minnie,” Chiara says, not caring about anything I said other than the name.

Before I can tell her to calm down, my office door opens.

Mr. Big walks inside with a confused expression, followed by Gavin.

And finally, when the door shuts, I get my first ever glimpse of Dreamcatcher.

Shorter than me, she’s a far cry from a celebrity. My gaze scans her head to toe. Her hair is pulled into a ponytail. There’s minimal makeup on her face. Her lips are painted in soft pink, resembling the color of her cheeks. She’s dressed in a loose white shirt, faded denim jeans, and white sneakers.

This is Dreamcatcher?

Listening to her music, I always thought she’d be someone who dresses up in gothic outfits or even has a few tattoos.

“Hi, I’m Minnie,” she says, and I think someone just hit me with a feather. She has the most beautiful voice.

“Oh my God! I can’t believe it.” Chiara has her hands clutched over her chest. “I’m such a huge, huge fan of yours. I mean, we all are.”

Crap! Maya explicitly mentioned no fangirling, and my best friend has surpassed that step. She’s looking at Minnie like she would worship at her feet.

I elbow Chiara, but she doesn’t even notice. “Chiara, calm down. Let’s at least introduce ourselves.”

“Yeah, sorry.” She looks at me, and when I’m about to welcome Minnie properly, Chi says, “I’m Chiara. I’m Autumn’s best friend.” Her head jerks to me, and I’ve never seen her this hysterical. “This is her family’s inn. She recently became the owner of it, and she—”

“Chi!” I tug on her flailing arm before she hyperventilates and blurts out all my secrets.

“Why don’t you come with me, Chiara?” Mr. Big volunteers, pulling her out of my office.

Once she’s gone, it’s only Minnie, me, and Gavin.

“I’m sorry,” Minnie blurts before I can apologize.

What is she sorry for?

I look at Gavin, trying to see what he thinks of our guest, and notice he’s staring at the back of her head.

“I freeze whenever I’m greeted by a fan.” Minnie rights her glasses, looking down and then toward the door. “Will she be okay? Is she upset with me?”

I can’t help my laughter. “Minnie, I think right at this minute, Chiara is out there dying of shame because she thinks she’s made a fool of herself.”