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The argu to be starting the preseason, so his tiether is going to get cut anyway Why not have a professionally satisfying project going that would put a published paper under my name?

Thisthat truly sucks about that proposition is that Reed and I had just talked about this very thing last night while ere lying in bed He asked ames with him if my concurrent days off matched up to his travel schedule

"Yes," I'd exclaiht As I learnedreally excited about watching hiaames caused my heart to squeeze in pleasure

Reed had laughed and pulled me into hiet enough of you, Josie, so I want you close to me as much as possible"

I almost dissolved into a puddle of tears, because those words were so dah his career would take hi on ways that we could be together It only served to highlight the disparity in my relationship with Aiden, who essentially didn't want to be with h

"Josie?" Aiden's voice penetrates s

I blink "Yeahuht want to knock those hours out in just one day so I can still maintain a few days off for myself"

"Totally understand," he says with obvious delight in his voice I've accepted "This is going to be awesome to work on this project with you Just like the old days"

I laugh, because Aiden and I used to butt heads all the tiht have just been our total familiarity with each other since ere a couple "Well, thanks for asking me"

"Sure thing," he says, and turns for the door Just before he reaches the knob, it opens and a nurse pokes her head in

She looks to Aiden, then ot a delivery, Josie"

She pushes the door open further and she's holding the biggest bouquet of flowers I've ever seen in ea, Gerber daisies, roses, and some purple flower on a stalk that I have no clue what it is The vase is tall and thick, and there's a box tied to it with a ribbon

"Wow," Aiden says in awe "Reed sure has the ro down"

I quickly analyze Aiden's tone, but I don't detect any snideness or bitterness He seeenuinely impressed by the display

The nurse brings the vase all the way in and sets it on the desk I stare at it in disbelief because of its monstrous size I've never had anyone send et the

"Enjoy your flowers," Aiden says with a wink, then walks out of the office with the nurse When the door closes, I reach to pull out the card frole nervously as I realize

I stare at the words curiously, not understanding what they mean

If it's meant to be

Password: 4593

Thoroughly confused, I untie the box from the vase When I lift the lid, I see an iPod nestled inside some blue silk fabric I pull it out and turn it on When the password screen lights up, I type in the password from the note card

I stare at the home screen, not sure what I'm supposed to do with it, but since it's an iPod, which is first and foremost aboutlisted, "Meant to Be," by Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line

Never heard of it or the people who sing it, but I push play and listen

Immediately the hair stands up on the back ofby a er with a voice so beautifuleach other and wondering where their relationship is going, the keyif it's meant to be, it will be

I findthe chorus, So won't you ride with oes

When the music fades away, I blink h of pure happiness Who thinks to do so like that?

And how in the hell had Reed gone fro the ultiestures?

I know it happened someti hard and fast for this guy

Chapter 19