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When it came around, physically, I was feeling better. Mentally, not so much. I was a ball of nerves, wondering if people even wanted me to lead the group. That only grew when Becks found me at the beginning of the meeting.
“Hey! Feeling better?” she asked.
“Yes, thank you for the card.”
“I hope you can go to the doctor about it,” she said. “I knew when I saw you that it was serious.”
“And I heard you did a great job last week.”
“It was nothing. We all still missed you.”
I wasn’t sure if she was placating me or not.
Becks was a good person. I’d thought about trying to befriend her a few times, but Ava’s hand in Calvin’s was still fresh on my mind, and I didn’t know if I could bear getting close to someone else only for them to ultimately choose him in the end.
“Oh, and before I forget.” She pulled out a note. “Someone dropped this off for you.”
“A book club member?” I asked.
“No, someone else.”
“Did you get a name?”
She shook her head. “Sorry. I figured he was leaving something weird. I mean, aguyinterested in a romance-only book club? Kinda creepy.”
I held my hand out and took the letter. “I’ll handle it, thank you, Becks.”
I made it to a table before I opened it.
Hi, Amy. I read the book you recommended me, and I really liked it. I’d love to talk more about it, among other things. I have an app we could use.
I squintedat the name at the bottom of the page. It was only one letter.
“V,” I said to myself. “Weird name.”
I thought back to what had happened with my migraine. Ihadrun into someone, though I never looked them in the face. I remembered them talking to me, but nothing else. Had I recommended a book to them?
Becks might have had an issue with a guy joining a book club, but I didn’t. I was happy to talk about books with him, and I pulled up the app he recommended.
I sent him a friend request, which was accepted immediately. Once it was, I typed up a message.
Hi! I’d love to talk about the book. Quick question, though, what book was it? I’ve had a wild few weeks between a complete asshole ruining my birthday and then the subsequent emotional breakdown, so I barely remember anything.
Next week we read something in a similar vein. You should show up! Becks might have come across a little weird about a guy joining, but I won’t be!
V typed.Stopped. And then started again.
V
Hi, Amy. I might just keep this between you and me for now. It’s nice to be able to talk with you.
Chapter One
NINE YEARS LATER
It tookme two years to learn to appreciate the quiet of my house. After Gram’s passing, I struggled with how empty it felt, especially after the courts evened out the will dispute by giving Calvin all the furniture. For a time, I resented the feeling of emptiness.
Now, I didn’t mind it too much.