She continued walking, snatching another sticky note from the smooth trunk of a slender tree that stood just to the left of the trail and then from another tree on her right.

If I could do it all again.

I would do things differently.

She reached the entryway of the Ten Wa Jin Teahouse. The stone-and-bamboo structure stood as the centerpiece of the serene gardens, the view of the Austin skyline from its rear window one of the best in the city. London and Taylor stood side by side just inside the tiny building.

London handed her one note:

I’m sorry.

Taylor handed her another:

Please forgive me.

“You?” Samiah said, after taking the Post-it from her. She turned to London. “And you?”

“Before you start, let me explain my role in this little exercise that could get us all arrested for vandalism,” London said.

Taylor rolled her eyes. “I told you a few sticky notes do not count as vandalism—”

“Zip it,” London said, making a cutting motion across her neck. She returned her attention to Samiah. “You should know me well enough by now to know that I was ready to kick Mr. Cute Dimples over there to the curb on your behalf.”

Samiah looked to where London pointed. That’s when she noticed Daniel standing in the far corner of the teahouse. Her pulse quickened at the sight of him.

“But then I listened to what he had to say,” London continued. “And, well, I’m out here in the wilderness putting damn sticky notes on trees and shit. That should tell you something.”

Taylor gestured between herself and London. “Samesies.” She lifted her palms in the air. “I understand why you banished him to the doghouse, and if that’s where you want him to stay, just say the word. But…”

“But what?” Samiah asked, folding her arms over her chest.

“But maybe you should listen to his side of things. Really listen,” London said. “Never has the saying ‘stuck between a rock and a hard place’ described a situation so well. He didn’t have a choice.”

“He did have a choice,” Samiah said. “He could have told me the truth.”

“Yes, I could have,” Daniel said. He took a step forward. “I should have.” He took another. And another. He walked toward them, his hands in his pockets. He stopped a few feet away. “Can I please have those twenty minutes, Samiah? That’s all I’m asking for.”

“Give him the twenty minutes,” London said.

“Yes, give him the twenty minutes. We’ll be right over there.” Taylor nudged her chin toward a bench a few steps away.

“No, we won’t. We’ll go look at the roses or the koi pond or something. But we will be close,” London stressed.

“Thanks, ladies,” Daniel said. “I appreciate your help.”