She rises up to meet me, pressing a firm kiss to my lips.
I automatically deepen it, because that’s what my body is screaming at me to do. And she responds, her tongue gliding against mine before she pulls away.
It was a goodbye kiss.
I can sense it the second her heels land back on the floor.
Letting her go, I give her space to move away, to give me a shaky smile and whisper, “Goodbye, Black Jack.”
“Goodbye, Dani Girl.”
Releasing a shuddering breath, she turns, hurrying around the counter, desperate to put space between us.
My eyes burn as I watch her, and it takes everything in me to walk away.
But I do.
Somehow, my legs make it to the door.
I turn back one last time before leaving, and she’s still watching me. Tears are trickling down her face, and I raise my hand, waving my final goodbye.
She slashes the tears off her cheeks and tries to smile at me, but it doesn’t work.
Looks like I’m not the only one who’s hurting.
And it kills me that she’s doing this to herself.
To us.
But I have to let her go.
I know this in my gut.
And even though I want to reject the idea, talk myself out of it… I force my legs through that door. I step out into the sunshine and head for my SUV.
It’s time to move to Dallas.
It’s time to leave my college life behind and find something new.
TWO MONTHS LATER…
CHAPTER 48
DANI
I got back from my road trip two days ago. It was a fun break. After spending five weeks in Colorado Springs, wallowing in my room, hanging out with Elsa, and finally going to therapy, I found the strength to hit the road.
I started with my siblings, staying two nights with my oldest brother, Remi, and his wife and one-year-old daughter. That was all things precious, and I left feeling better than I had in weeks. I then stopped in to spend four days with Shantee, my sister, and her husband and twin boys. That was chaotic but lots of fun. I was more than happy to hit the road again, though, and made it across the country, staying in motels along the way and finally ending up in NYC.
I parked my car in long-term parking at Newark Airport and caught the train into the city.
It was wild. I’d never been to a place that big before, but Jed and Tobin took the best care of me. The restaurant where Jed’s working is so flash. Tobin made me spend the last of my savings on a new dress that sparkles and hugs my body like nothing I’ve ever owned before. I got hit on a bunch of times throughout the night, and Tobin had to end up pretending to be my boyfriend. All I could think about was Ty and how, if he’d been beside me,I would have had anactualboyfriend. One I loved and cared about. One who could make me smile and feel safe and… listen to Whitney Houston with me. Someone I could travel the world with.
“Ahhh,” I softly whine to myself as I leave the grocery store. Mom sent me on a shopping run, and I was happy to go because I’m starting to suffocate in my room.
New York was thrilling and exciting and… Colorado Springs is not.
I want to hit the road again, but I’m out of cash. I need to get back to working and earning.
