“Boarding pass, sir?” the agent asks, stopping me from going any farther.
“I don’t have a flight,” I say quickly. “It’s important that I catch up with someone in line.”
“I can’t let you in without a boarding pass.” Her tone invites no debate. “You’re going to have to step aside.”
I’m too close to back off now. This agent isn’t going to budge and if I shout for Lot and pull her out, she could miss her flight. Not doing that.
I pivot, finding the shortest line at the nearest airline desk, and book a one-way flight just to get inside. Then I rush back with a boarding pass in hand. The agent waves me in.
Lot’s going through security now. I’m so close. I weave around the waiting passengers to get to the front. “Sorry, urgent matter.”
Some grumble, but most let me butt ahead.
I dump my phone in the bin. Almost there. But the metal detector flags me. I forgot the damn watch. The agent motions me to the side. He waves the body wand, then clears me.
I take off running, only slowing down when I catch sight of her sitting at the gate with Queenie beside her. I work to regain my breath, to calm the rapid pounding in my heart.
She pulls out her phone. And mine vibrates in my hand,Weblighting up the screen.
“Hi?” I answer, still breathless.
“I saw that you called. Missing me already?”
“You have no idea.” I take a step forward. “Look up, Web.”
“Why?” she asks, even as she does it.
Her eyes land on me and her mouth falls open.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Lot
Take a shot on me.
Dice is here. Like a fever dream.
I stand up too fast, bumping my knee on Queenie’s carrier. I don’t feel the sting over the scramble of my mind. For a split second, I think of those cheesy romances where she runs into his open arms, and he spins her like a carousel before carrying her off into the sunset. But this isn’t a Lifetime movie.
“What—what are you doing?” I ask, still in shock, my phone forgotten at my side.
He slips his own into his hoodie pocket as he stops in front of me with his usual smirk. “Apparently flying to Kirksville, Missouri.”
“Missouri?” I squint. “Why are you going there?”
“I’m not. Long story. But the point is, I couldn’t let you leave without saying what mattered. Not again.”
My lips part, no words coming out. Because Dice isn’t just here.He’s here for me. With something important to say. I don’t let myself jump ahead. I stay still. Silent.
He moves closer. Close enough to touch me, but he doesn’t. There’s something different in his eyes now. Steady. Serious.
“I liked you from the start,” he says. “From the day we met, I thought you were feisty and determined. But kind and sweet too. You cared about that spider, and about me when I needed it most.
“Over the years, from kids to adults, my feelings developed into something deeper. I saw how much you love your people. How behind all the snark and sass is tenderness. How funny and smart and creative you are. Beautiful, inside and out.
“I never could define what we were exactly, but we shared this special bond. As strong as that spiderweb that brought us together.”
He pauses. Reflecting. “I knew, as soon as you came back, even time and anger hadn’t changed that. You were the still the girl who shared her jelly beans and tent with me. The one I always cherished. The one I promised myself I wouldn’t ever touch. Only… I couldn't keep that promise. I had to have you.”
