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I couldn’t tell if there were any underlying messages. What mattered was that my statement was clear as day.

I strode back to my hotel, shook off my suit jacket, and dropped into the chair, letting my conversation with Calvin sink in. But I couldn’t concentrate on anything except what I’d admitted to an acquaintance over dinner.

What had been an infatuation had turned into a thorough analysis of my heart. The hinges on my closed heart had creaked when I first met her. Not only had Vivian opened the door and entered my heart space, but she had filled it with her smile, her scent, her pain, her strength, and her ability to heal me.

For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel alone.

“I love Vivian,” I said the words out loud in the hotel room, letting the sound penetrate the walls and windows and into the sky.

She was the most beautiful target to land at the center of my heart.

This was a profound revelation that I needed to contemplate. Did she feel the same way about me? It was probably too soon for her. It had taken her a while to agree to date me. Her trip to Providence was temporary until she could find Aimee. Would she want to stay there with me?

I could come up with another strategy to ensure she remained in my house. But I didn’t want to do that. I wanted to let things flow naturally. I wanted to know—neededto know—that she loved me without me having to interfere. Love wasn’t a mission or a business transaction for me to complete.

After a moment, I swung my attention back to practical things I could control. My Christmas gift list was short, but I had to get it done before I forgot.

What should I get Vivian, Kaylee, Pam, and Jarrett?

CHAPTERFORTY-SIX

VIVIAN

Kayleeand I moved into Arrow’s house three days ago. His shower was better than the one in our apartment. I stood under the showerhead, letting the hot water run down my body. Then I adjusted the side sprays, letting the force massage my back.

Though the shower helped, I was mentally checked out. It would be an early night for me after I replied to my friends. The chat didn’t last long because my brain wanted to rest, and my body wanted to sleep. It was only six in the evening, and I was beat. I’d probably be sound asleep when Kaylee returned from her shopping trip.

After convincing my friends I was fine, I crawled into his giant bed. The fight from today and the ongoing anxiety about Ghost took a toll on me today.

I missed Arrow and grabbed his pillow to inhale his scent. I wished he were here so I could cuddle beside him. The odd incident from earlier unsettled me. It came out of nowhere, and I couldn’t help but compare the shock to the news about Ghost being alive.

On top of that, another fear—an uncertainty—ran through me. I was falling in love with Arrow, and I didn’t know what to do about it. The more time I spent with him, the more my heart opened. This powerful emotion scared me because if things didn’t work out, I didn’t know if I would recover.

I hadn’t loved a man before. I had prevented myself from letting anyone into my heart until Arrow. Somehow, he’d found his way in and woken up my heart. I was more alive now because of him. He made me feel things, see things, and hope for things I hadn’t before.

Love brightened everything for me. I feared that if things didn’t work out between us, my life would turn dark.

It had taken a long time to bounce back from my mom’s death. A death to my heart a second time would be too detrimental to me.

Go to sleep. Stop thinking.

What was Arrow doing right now? I wanted to hear his voice. But I didn’t want to interrupt his meetings if he was in the middle of one.

When he returned, I’d ask him about these two women at the mall. Did he know them?

Missing him and needing to be close to him, I sent him a text.

Vivian:I miss you. Tired today. Going to bed early.

Before he could reply, I dozed off.

CHAPTERFORTY-SEVEN

ARROW

I finishedmy conference call with the marketing team and checked my watch. My flight back to Providence was in four hours, so I worked on my video game. Last night, I’d figured out how to finish my Level Five for WaterFyre Rising. Vivian had inspired a special character that became the fundamental change for the game.

I created a character called The Dentist, an angler who tried to catch an evil amphibian named Tark, a hybrid toad and shark. It possessed unique teeth that could be ground up and used as medicine. The dentist carried a powerful handpiece and a magical fishing rod with a golden fishing line.