33
Friday morning brought sunshine so intense the brightness woke me through the closed curtains at Sean’s bedroom window. Swishing my arm across the bed, I found his spot vacant. “Sean?”
The house’s soundless response suggested emptiness, and frowning, I pushed up. On spotting a note propped against the lamp on the side dresser, I peered at the words.
YOU LOOKED TOO GORGEOUS TO WAKE JEM
BACK FOR LUNCH AT 12
LOVE YOU
X
I smiled, glancing at the clock: ten thirty.
After wasting some minutes showering and dressing, I cleared the laundry and made sandwiches for lunch. Drawn by the brilliance of the day, I went out into the garden to wait, my face tilted and warmed by the sun’s rays. Tugging out my mobile, I glanced at the time: eleven forty.
Sighing, I strolled toward the arches unti
