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As Carly lay in bed that night, she stared at the ceiling and tried to process the day’s events. She’d been looking forward to the day that she would finally meet NYJedi. That turned out to be a bust. And then there was Mick. Striking, handsome, manly, Mick. Where did he come from? Could it work between them? She always liked seeing him—no matter how scarce—whenever he was in town. The last time she’d seen him was at the wedding of his younger brother, Ethan. But he hadn’t paid her any real notice then, did he? No, Carly thought. And besides, he’s nearly twice my age. And Dad’s sixty-one. He’s like, ten years younger than Dad!
Carly sat up and pulled her laptop from her nightstand. She stared at the black screen for a few seconds before blowing a quick breath out. She turned the laptop on and waited for it to do its thing.
Carly logged into her Love Is Blind account.
And there it was. On the top right-hand corner, the little bell glowed, letting her know she had a message.
Carly clicked on it and waited for the little white box to pop up. It was the white box that would tell her why NYJedi didn’t turn up today.
TO: WillowCup717
FROM: NYJedi007
Dear WillowCup
I'm sorry I couldn't make it today. Something came up, and I wasn't able to make my flight.
Were you there? While I hope that you were there to see me, I also hope that you didn't wait too long.
I wanted to be there.
Thinking of you,
NYJedi007
There were many things that Carly liked about Love Is Blind. But then again, there were a lot of things that she didn’t like either. For one thing, she didn’t like that there were so many rules, especially the one that said they couldn’t exchange personal details until they were ready to meet.
She really should have asked for his cell phone number. That would have been appropriate since they’d already agreed to meet after carefully guarding their personal details—and their hearts—over the last six months.
Something came up. Wasn’t that an overly used excuse? Was it an excuse? More importantly, was it a valid excuse?
Carly took a deep breath in and moved the cursor, hovering over the reply button. She clicked it.
TO: NYJedi007
FROM: WillowCup717
I waited... and waited. Every time someone walked through the door, I looked up, hoping that at last, it would be you. But now I know that no matter how many times I might have looked up, it would never have been you.
Something came up — Isn't that what people say when they want to dismiss another without talking about it? Or if they simply don't want to attend a prearranged meeting?
I felt very foolish waiting for you.
Carly hit the send button and watch as her message disappeared. She sighed loudly and thought about Mick. He could have kissed her. And she would have kissed him back. But whether it was the right thing to do—or not—would have been a millstone around her neck. What if they kissed, and it didn’t work out in the end? What then?
The sound of a dull bell dinged.
Carly looked at the screen. NYJedi007 has sent you a message.
Carly took a breath in and clicked on the message.
TO: WillowCup717
FROM: NYJedi007
I wanted to be there. I really did.
Don't feel foolish, please. It pains me to think that I have caused you to feel so.
Please don't be mad.
Mad? Carly processed the word. M.A.D. Was she mad? Angry? Hurt? She sighed and replied.
TO: NYJedi007
FROM: WillowCup717
I'm not mad. I think I'm more hurt than anything. I was looking forward to seeing you.
There. She said it. She was hurt. That’s what she was—hurt. Maybe a little embarrassed, even.
TO: WillowCup717
FROM: NYJedi007
What can I do to make it up to you?
Carly thought about it for a moment. Could he make it up to her? Could he? Mick’s face sauntered into her mind. Carly shook her head. “Stop it”, she said out loud with a growl.
TO: NYJedi007
FROM: WillowCup717
Tell me the truth.
Yes—the truth. That’s what she wanted.
Was there anything between them at all? Was any of it real? Is NYJedi007 real? Questions raced through her mind.
“Carly?” There was a knock on the door.
Carly quickly closed her laptop. “Yes?” It was her mom. Suddenly, she was reminded of her pathetic existence—she was still living with her parents at thirty-two. “Come in.”
June Matthews opened the door and popped her head in. “Is everything okay, darling?”
“Mm-hmm,” Carly nodded. “Sorry, Mom. Did I wake you?”
“No, dear.” June shook her head. “I was just getting a cup of tea. Would you like one?”
Carly considered her mother. What a disappointment to her parents Carly had turned out to be. “Sure,” she feigned a smile and climbed out of bed. “I’ll join you.”