The Perfect Arrangement by Katie Ganshert Read Free Book Online Page B

journal I would no longer pour out my embarrassing heart to cute men. I pulled my pillow over my face and groaned. Rachel was right. I needed to get out more. Meet someone in real life. Perhaps the reason I cyber-dumped on Nate was because deep down Baxter and my flower shop weren’t enough. Maybe I was lonely, and now I’d gone and scared away the one guy who had charmed me (he quoted Darcy, for heaven’s sake!) since Matt.
    I slipped into my robe and shuffled out into the dark kitchen with toes curling against the chilly air, my regret following me the entire way. Baxter remained sleeping at the foot of my bed. I sat down in front of my laptop and woke it from its slumber with a click. The luminescent screen lit up my kitchen nook. I opened up my inbox, wishing I had the power to take back the e-mail I sent last night. Wishing I could send him something much cooler instead. Like a here’s-what-went-down and leave-it-at-that type of e-mail.
    When my inbox loaded, I found a couple orders for the day. Along with two unread, un-flower-related messages.
    One from my long-lost best friend, Rachel.
    The other from Nate!

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Date: Fri, Sep 25, 2015 1:05 a.m.
Subject: Re: The Man Who Knew Too Much
    Dear Amelia,
    Thank you for putting me out of my misery. It was a relief to hear the ending of the story. No, the loose ends weren’t completely tied up, but I think they’re secure enough. If I were you and William were my younger brother, I would respect his wishes. He knows what you saw, so the burden is no longer on your shoulders. He has chosen to trust Bridget, and he’s asked that you trust him. I think it’s a pretty reasonable request. And I think you can honor it without feeling guilty. There is my unsolicited advice for the day. Feel free to take it or leave it.
    As far as younger siblings getting married, I can relate. My little sister is married, which I find incredibly strange. Thankfully, her husband seems like a pretty decent guy, so all I can do is be happy for her. Then again, my sister and I have parents who are alive and married, which makes my situation a lot less complicated than yours. Most people in your situation would throw a pity party, and yet you choose to focus on your blessings. Not everyone would do that, Amelia. It’s an admirable quality.
    While reading your e-mail I couldn’t help but notice something, and I hope you don’t think I’m making light of your situation. I promise, I’m not. But it hit me that you are a lot more like Cinderella than I thought, complete with the evil stepmother and the two stepsisters. Their names aren’t Drizella or Anastasia by any chance, are they? You don’t have a talking mouse friend named Gus, do you?
    I wanted to thank you for your note. I enjoyed reading it. And I also wanted to let you know that there’s no pressure to e-mail me back. Your life sounds very busy at the flower shop. I, on the other hand, am just a writer who spends copious amounts of time at the computer, looking for excuses to do anything but write. I don’t want to be a nuisance, and you should feel no obligation to write back. The reason I’m saying this at all is because you seem like the kind of person who might continue exchanging e-mails with a complete stranger even if it is a bother, just for the sake of that stranger’s feelings. I promise, my feelings are of hardy stock. In case you decide not to e-mail, I wanted to say that I’ve enjoyed our little exchanges. You’re an interesting person, Amelia, and I happen to like interesting people.
    All the best,
    Nate
    PS: You should definitely watch The Man Who Knew Too Much.
    â€œThere are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
—C. S. Lewis

    From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Date: Fri, Sep 25, 2015 5:15 a.m.
Subject: Re: The Man Who Knew Too Much
    Dear