The journey to this day has been so long. It took me years to comprehend that it was Eva I needed. For years, my grandmother told me that the Lord had made a woman just for me. She promised that I had only to wait and watch; His ways are sometimes hard to know but if we are open to His messages, if we listen for His orders, we’ll know.

I waited. I watched. I studied them all.

Then I realized that Eva was the only one who could truly understand me, so I waited for her to heed the Lord’s message too. I knew Eva had heard His voice when she told me that there was a girl out there for me, and if I would be less crude, I’d find her.

I made sure she saw me be kind and good. I thought that it would be enough, but then she didn’t come to me. I still wasn’t good enough. She punished me by sleeping with Robert.

But I forgave her. I kept trying—until I saw her turn her gaze so often to Bouchet. I drove the car into her body, even though it hurt my heart and lungs to do it. When God spared her life, I knew that we still had a chance, so I left her messages. I even sacrificed Amy. I did everything right.

And now . . . and now . . . she rewarded me. She asked me to touch her. It was only for a moment, but it was pure and good. Soon, she’ll ask me to touch her all the time.

First, I must complete the mission Eva gave me today. I know this is the final challenge. I’ll do a good job, and then I’ll go to Eva’s house, just as she said I should.

As I drive, I think about how to do it. Madison is difficult. She’s a challenge.

“Reid?”

CeCe is talking. I’d considered her. I still want to, but Madison is the one Eva chose for us. I see now that CeCe would be too easy for the trial Eva wants me to complete. Like a knight of old, or a soldier fighting for the South, I wish I had a token of Eva’s regard to carry with me on the battlefield. Maybe I’ll ask for one next time.

“Reid,” CeCe snaps. “You missed the turn.”

“Maybe I just wanted to keep you with me longer.”

“Funny. Turn around.”

Beside me, Grace is silent, and I remember that Eva didn’t want Grace left alone with anyone. Eva told me that. I’m not going to risk upsetting Eva when we’re so close to our future. “Sorry but Yeung needs to get home first. Right, Yeung?”

“She’s past my house though,” CeCe objects.

I shrug. It’s hard to talk to girls who don’t matter as much as my Eva does, but I have to do as Eva wants. I’ll spend the rest of our lives doing as she wants. I’ve been waiting so long, but today, she let me know that she’s almost ready for our union. I felt her hesitation when she asked me to touch her, but she did it. There, surrounded by all of Them, and even with Grace and Bouchet in the room, she asked me to touch her.

I ignore CeCe and Grace as I think about Eva’s skin. She was as excited as I was. Her pulse felt like a small hammer under my fingertips. I knew when I touched her that she has been receiving my messages. She has heard me, and she is glad. She told me that she saw me, but no one else did. That’s why she gave me a task: it’s to show her my love and loyalty.

Together, we chose the next message. I’d hoped that she’d seen the rightness of my choices, but I’m excited that she made the choice for me—for us—this time. Eva let me know that she’s a part of the mission. After I do as Eva directed, we’ll be together. She told me that today. She knew I needed to give her one more lesson. She told me, “If she’ll make you happy, do something about it.”

“Left here,” Grace says.

Silently, I pull into her drive and wave as she gets out of the car. Then, I pat the passenger seat. “Come up here, CeCe. I’m not going to play chauffeur.”

CeCe mutters something I can’t make out, but she obeys. We watch as Grace walks to the door. Once she’s inside, I smile at CeCe and suggest, “No witnesses now, Watkins. Call your mother, and tell her you’re staying over with Piper for a while.”

“Why would I do that?” She has her phone out already though.

“Let me take you on a date. No one has to know.” I take her hand in mine and pretend she’s Eva. I give her the comforting look I want to give to Eva. “Just a date, Cees. We’ll get some picnic stuff and go down to the lake.”

“I’m not like . . .” Her words fade, and I know she was going to say “Amy,” but caught herself. Instead, she says, “I’m not sleeping with you.”

“I didn’t ask you to,” I point out calmly. I miss Amy, and I need someone to ease the excitement I feel right now. CeCe is here. Maybe she’ll help me out a little. I smile at her and add, “I suggested you go on a picnic with someone who thinks you’re worth spending a little time with. Is that such a bad thing?”

For a moment, she’s silent. She stays that way as I put the car in reverse and back out of the Yeungs’ driveway. We’re several blocks away when she says, “All right.”

DAY 14: “THE KISS”

Eva

IT FEELS LIKE ONLY a few minutes, but it was almost an hour ago that I started kissing Nate. He’s the one to pull away, but instead of telling me again that this is a mistake, he says, “If we dating, we’re dating. Going out places, and doing this right.”

“Right.” I’ve never been kiss-addled before, but I feel like I have a buzz from him. I wonder if he does too because I’m fairly sure his words don’t make any sense.