Page 55 of Remember Me

Holding the note close to my chest, butterflies stirring in my belly, I take a sip of my coffee. It’s super cold and the ice cubes are still intact, which means Jake can’t have been gone long.

Bella looks up from her perch at the end of the bed, thumping her tail against the covers. “Good morning, my precious girl,” I coo as she gets up to stretch and comes over to me.

Scratching behind her ears, I luxuriate in bed while I catch up on emails and finish my coffee before finally making a start on my day. Alyssa will be here soon to take me to PT, so I quickly get dressed in a pair of sweats and a baggy T-shirt, courtesy of Jake. Then, I shovel some yogurt and fruit down just as there’s a knock at the door.

As I go to open it, Alyssa comes bouncing through in her all-black ensemble. I wish I could pull off the grunge chic she so effortlessly does. Today, she’s got an oversized band tee knotted at the side, black denim shorts, and her signature Dr. Marten boots on. She’s also wearing the most beautiful black choker around her neck. It has a gold chain hanging down from it with a black heart pendant on it. I’d never be able to carry off something like that but, like I say, Alyssa looks so stylish. She takes the seat next to Bella, who is now grateful to be at the receiving end of some attention.

“Nice necklace—is it new?” I ask, finishing my coffee.

The faintest of blushes creeps up her face as she caresses the heart pendant. “Oh, this old thing? I forgot I had it, to be honest.”

She can’t hold my gaze, but I let it go for now and go back to admiring the pendant. I wonder if it’s from the mysterious mystery man; I’m still trying to figure out who he is.

Quickly changing the subject as she shoots up from her seat, Alyssa instructs, “Come on, we don’t want to be late for your PT.”

And just like that, she’s out the door like a tornado.

PT kicks my ass yet again, but the sight of seeing Jake in the waiting room makes all the pain worthwhile and, even though I hate to admit it, my leg is feeling stronger. No pain, no gain, right?

As we wrap our arms around each other, I hold on just that little bit longer, I squeeze him a little tighter too. It doesn’t go unnoticed, as Jake leans back to look into my eyes.

“Is something wrong, sweetheart?” he asks as he pushes a lock of hair behind my ear.

My smile is wide as I take in his beautiful face. “I remembered something this morning,” I tell him as my own hands come up to play with his hair. I love running my fingers through it, the short waves are so soft.

“Oh yeah? What did you remember?” I’m sure his smile now matches mine, and we’re both standing in the waiting room grinning at each other like loons.

“The scent on your pillow. I remember buying you that cologne for your nineteenth birthday.”

His eyes widen. “Yeah, that’s right, baby, you did. I’ve never changed it.”

Reaching up, I brush my lips against his. “Thank you.”

“What for?” his brows arch.

“For always having me in your thoughts, for loving me so fiercely,” I desperately want my feelings to catch up to his, for me to remember more.

“Always, baby. Always.”

I don’t know what happens between us leaving PT and the drive home, but Jake’s mood turns sour, he becomes quieter and more withdrawn. I’ve never seen him like this, and it instantly has me worried. Did I do something? Say something?

I reach out to touch his arm, and he jumps at my touch.

“Hey, are you ok?” I ask him.

His knuckles are white on the steering wheel as he drives.

“Yeah, I’m fine, Lotts,” he grabs my hand and kisses it.

He’s not fine; he sounds dejected and just…sad.

“I’m just in my head, that’s all. It’s my dad’s ten-year anniversary in a few days, and I completely forgot about it.”

I wish there was something I could do to make him feel better. All I can do is be there for him like he’s been for me. I give his bicep a squeeze. Wow, that’s hard. I always forget he’s smuggling boulders under his skin.

“You know you can always talk to me; I’ll be your sounding board. Or, if you just want to cuddle and sit in silence whilst we watch true crime, we can.”

A ghost of a smile appears on his lips. “I’d like that. Can we have donuts and some of your homemade lemonade?”