The New Arrangement

She stalked outside into the chilly night air, and Byron called out for her to wait. He got delayed while untying Rupert’s leash, and Emily made quite good distance down the emptying street, but soon Byron caught up to her again, driving slowly behind her in a sleek BMW.

Rupert sat majestically in the passenger seat while Byron drove slowly with his windows rolled down. Other drivers were honking their horns at him to go faster, but he ignored them.

“Emily, I’m sorry,” he said, trying to catch her eye through the passenger window, “I won’t do it anymore. Just let me drive you home, and then I’ll go.”

“You’re making a scene,” she said, “just go away.”

“No,” he shouted, “It was your own best friend who told you never to walk alone at night, and you’re breaking the pact.”

Damn, why did he have to be so caring? He really took it over the top, but Emily found it hard to be angry with him after the main explosion of rage subsided and she recognized that he did it all to help her.

She stopped walking and came closer to the car. Byron shooed the dog into the back seat so she could take the front. She still didn’t want to meet his eyes as she got in.

“I know you did this for my benefit,” she said, staring ahead at the dark road, “but I can’t have people following me.”

Rupert howled sadly from the back seat as if sensing her turbulent feelings.

“It won’t happen again,” Byron said, “I promise.”

“I thought I could trust you,” she said, “I don’t know why, but you just have that kind of vibe.”

“You can trust me,” he insisted. “Sometimes I do stupid things, but I did this only to protect you.”

More than ever before, Emily was torn between staying away from him for her own safety and getting closer to him. She was extremely touched by what he had done, even if it was misguided.

“No one has ever cared this much about me before,” she said, turning to Byron. “You are a good friend, even if you do stupid things.”

He smiled almost bashfully as he parked the car outside of her building. He took her hand, and she felt all her negative feelings ebbing away.

“I have an idea,” he said, “you might think this is crazy too, but I think it’s worth a try. What if we were to spend more time together?”

“That doesn’t sound so bad,” Emily said, “Why would that be crazy?”

“Well, I was thinking we could pretend to be dating. The media might cover it, and your stalker could finally get the message that you’re not available. And it would allow me to be with you and make sure you’re safe... better than having a bungling security man following you around, no?”

Emily sighed, feeling the strings of a relationship tighten around her once more. Thanks to Josh, she was so used to feeling cornered and looking for avenues of escape that even the thought of a fake relationship made her want to run far away.

“I know you’re doing it to help me, and it’s an interesting thought... but I need my own space.”

“And you can have it,” he said, “as much as you like!”

She smiled bitterly at his optimism. “You say that now, but spending more time together might be tricky.”

“I’m willing to try if you are,” he said, grinning roguishly.

“I’ll think about it,” Emily replied firmly, “that’s all I’m saying for now.”

When she checked her mailbox that night, expecting nothing but bills and bank statements, she found a hand-addressed letter in a sepia envelope sealed with actual wax. The name Byron Pomeroy was imprinted into the seal.

He had sent her a letter just like he promised! She thought it was just a joke when they talked about it at the charity gala.

The letter was dated from about a week ago, and Emily suddenly felt a pang of regret about ever getting angry at him, even if it was for a good reason. She had no idea he cared enough to fulfill her slightest whim. But clearly, he remembered every single thing she ever said to him.

The paper looked like something out of an historical film, weathered and discolored as if burned at the edges. She read:

Dear Emily,

I hope you like the stationery I picked out. Is it 19th century enough for you?

I haven’t sent a hand-written letter to anyone before, except a girl I had a crush on in Grade 6, and that didn’t turn out well. It seems I haven’t learned my lesson... But there’s something about you that makes me want to do crazy things like this.

To see you again would be wonderful. To have you in my life would be more than I deserve, maybe a miracle. But miracles do happen.

Yours,

Byron

Emily hugged the letter close to her chest. No one had ever done anything like this for her before. She put on an album by Quinn Faines and listened to the sad, romantic country songs as she lay in bed, letting the sentimental sounds of guitars and fiddles wash over her, knowing it would take her a while to fall asleep.

She wanted Byron in her life. Whatever arrangement they might come to, she wanted it to work.