Zoey

After my bath, I climbed into bed and Scott brought up a tray with a bowl of chicken noodle soup and a roll on it.

“Here you go, sweetheart,” he spoke as he set the tray over me and then gently kissed my forehead.

“We’re happy you’re home.” John smiled.

Both of them took a seat on the edge of the bed.

“Do you remember a boy on the other side of the curtain from me that day of the plane crash?” I asked John. “He was in a bad car accident and broke his leg in three places and needed surgery?”

“Yeah. I think I do remember. He was the boy you were talking to when I came to get you and take you down for x-rays. Why?”

“That little boy was Carter Grayson.”

“What?” He shook his head in disbelief.

“How do you know that for sure?” Scott asked.

“It came to me in a dream and I remembered. Now, twenty years later, I met him again.”

“You were supposed to, sweetheart,” John spoke. “We all know nothing happens by coincidence. This meeting had been lined up for twenty years. I believe you had to go through some things over the years before you were ready to meet him again and the same for him. The brief encounter in the hospital was just a taste of what the future held. You of all people know that. So don’t try to deny it.”

“I know he hurt you, Zoey. Your first heartbreak at twenty-five years old.” Scott ran his finger down my cheek. “You never let anyone get really close to you because you knew they weren’t the one you were meant to be with.”

“I don’t want to be with a man like him. He’s horrible, and the things he said to me.”

“Eat your soup and get some rest. You’ll feel better about things in the morning,” John spoke as he kissed my forehead.

I loved them both, but they were wrong. It would take me a long time to get over this.

****

The next morning, I climbed out of bed around noon and checked my phone. I noticed I had a missed call from Sadie.

“Hello,” she answered.

“Hi, Sadie, it’s Zoey. You called earlier?”

“Hi, Zoey. You left a couple of things here.”

“I don’t think so. I double checked before I left the penthouse.”

“I found two of your shirts sitting on top of the dryer. You must have forgotten they were there.”

“Oh. Okay. I’ll head into the city tomorrow. There’s a couple things I need to do. I’ll call you before I come. He won’t be there, right?”

“No. He’s not back from his trip yet. So don’t worry about that. It’ll just be me here.”

“Okay. Good. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“See you then, sweetie.”

That was odd. I didn’t remember doing laundry before we left for California. Oh well, I wanted to go into the city anyway for the day and do some retail therapy. Today, I had an appointment with Holly to get my hair highlighted and trimmed.

****

Carter

I was sitting at my desk when a call from Sadie came in.

“Hello, Sadie. Did you talk to her?”

“I did, Mr. Grayson.”

“And?”

“She’s stopping by tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? Why not today?”

“I don’t know. She said she was coming into the city tomorrow.”

“What time?”

“She said she’ll call before she stops by.”

I sighed.

“Sadie, I need a time. Call her back. Make it tomorrow around six o’clock. Invite her to dinner or something.”

“Mr. Grayson—”

“Sadie, this is important. Call me back and let me know what she says.”

****

Zoey

I was sitting in the chair while Holly was putting the highlights in my hair when my phone rang.

“I have to answer this,” I spoke to her.

“Sure, go ahead.”

“Hello,” I answered.

“Zoey, it’s Sadie. I completely forgot. I have a bunch of errands to run tomorrow and a doctor’s appointment. Can you come by around six? I’ll make us a nice dinner.”

“Yeah. Six will be fine. I’ll just make the penthouse my last stop before I head home. We can actually meet somewhere for dinner if you’d like and you can just bring my things.”

“Nope. I’m cooking for you. It’s been a while. Plus, it’ll be quieter here and it’ll give us a chance to really talk.”

“Okay, but I don’t want you to go to any trouble.”

“It’s no trouble at all. I enjoy cooking for you. I’ll see you around six o’clock tomorrow.”

“See you then, Sadie.”

“What was that all about?” Holly asked.

“I’m having dinner with Sadie tomorrow night at six.”

“At Carter’s penthouse?”

“Yeah. He’s still away and Sadie sounds a little down. Plus, I left a couple of things there.”

****

Carter

My phone rang and Sadie was calling.

“What did she say?” I answered.

“She’s coming for dinner at six o’clock tomorrow.”

“Excellent. I knew you could do it, Sadie. Did she sound suspicious or anything?”

“Not that I could tell.”

“Okay. Good. Thanks again. You’re a doll for doing this.”

After ending the call, I immediately started to search flowers online. After our discussion at Pike Market Place, I needed to find the perfect flowers with the perfect meaning for her. Any old flower wouldn’t do and I couldn’t fuck this up. I needed her to see and believe how sorry I was.