PROLOGUE
FAITH: 12 YEARS AGO
In two weeks, Jude, the love of my life, will be gone.
I have no idea how we’re supposed to make this work.
Tonight, I’m hanging out with him to figure out this long-distance relationship. We’ve dated for the past two years, and we’re rarely apart. Anytime we aren’t in school, working, or playing sports, we’re together. We spent all of our time together over the summer, too. A year-long separation will be difficult, but I’m hoping we can make it work.
I want to look good for him, so I slip on a flirty summer dress. It’s light blue, and the material hangs down just enough to cover my ass. A devious smirk spreads across my face, but it fades as I remember this will be one of our last nights together before he leaves.
My matching flip-flops are by the door. I slide them on and pause for a moment before grabbing my keys off the hook. Reflecting on our good times, I realize how much I’ll miss him. My chest is tight, and it’s hard to breathe. I want to stay in the moment, but it’s hard. When I think about the amazing memories, I smile. We can make a few more before he leaves.
“Where are you going?” my mom yells from the kitchen.
I roll my eyes and sigh. “Going to Jude’s. I’ll be back later.”
I drive toward his house in a daze, trapped in more memories. Finally, I ease into Jude’s driveway, my fingers tightening around the steering wheel before I finally cut the engine. With a deep breath, I step out, the warm air wrapping around my body as if it’s trying to comfort me.
The knot in my stomach grows tighter when I approach the door. I do a quick courtesy knock and step into the house. His familiar scent invades my nostrils, and tears well up in my eyes.
You’ve got this.
One foot in front of the other, I trudge to the kitchen where Jude leans against the island in all his glory. His light brown hair flops to the side, and his arms are outstretched, causing his biceps to flex. Those muscles have me rushing over to glide my hands up and down his arms.
“Looking good tonight,” I say, licking my lips to tease him.
He wraps his arms around me and presses a kiss on my temple. “You are, too.”
“What’s for dinner?” There are only a few dishes he can cook fairly well.
“The fridge has all the ingredients to make a stir-fry,” he says.
“I’m not that hungry.”
“You’re always hungry. Are you feeling ok?” he asks, his brows creasing.
No, I’m not ok. Our world is about to drastically shift.
With his arms still around me, he gives me a loving squeeze and my worries vanish; he’s all I want. I inhale his familiar musky cologne, sinking further into him. My hand slides up his muscular chest to his heart, and it reminds me to soak up the love we have for each other.
“I love you,” I say, gripping his shirt and pulling him closer.
He distances himself slightly, cups my face, and our eyes meet.
“I love you so much.”
He presses his lips to mine, and my lips part on instinct. The kiss grows harder and more intense. The next thing I know, Jude grabs my hand and leads me to his bedroom.
He undresses me and glides his hands over my body. One thing leads to another, and we end up breathless, lying together in his bed. My head is on his chest as he runs his fingers through my hair and down my back.
“Are you ready for some dinner now?” he asks, clearly unable to keep his hands off my body as he continues to run his fingers along my skin.
“Maybe in a few minutes.”
“Ok.” He reaches down to my finger and plays with the Claddagh ring he gave me almost two years ago.
I lift my head to look at him and say, “I’m going to miss you.”
