She didn’t get to finish that thought because the next thing she knew, he was wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close.Her heart beat wildly in her chest.She practically glided toward him, as though by magnetic attraction.
It was as if time had slowed down.Her hands came to rest on his chest.As she continued to stare into his brown eyes, she noticed his head dip.He really was going to kiss her.Oh my!
Her eyes fluttered shut.And then his warm lips pressed to hers.In that moment, she was swept back in time to when they were not much more than kids, and she was crazy in love with him.
Their parents had been thrilled they were together.They’d said that it was meant to be.Their mothers were already talking about the wedding.It had freaked her out.She’d been in college and not ready to get married.
So, when Justin proposed, she’d panicked.She didn’t know if he was proposing because he truly loved her and wanted a future with her.Or if he was proposing because that was what their families wanted.And she didn’t know if that was why she wanted to say yes to his proposal.
Now as his lips moved over hers, she could feel the embers of her feelings for him flare to life.They were so strong that it scared her.She refused to examine the depth of those feelings.
Whistles and clapping had them pulling apart.But Justin didn’t let her go far.He stared deep into her eyes, making her pulse race.And then he leaned in close and said softly enough for only her to hear, “Felicity, I love you.Please don’t leave.”
He loved her?And then she could see it in his eyes.He had looked at her the same way all of those years ago—with a mix of love and hope.She felt the weight of his heart in her hands.
No.No-no-no.He couldn’t be doing this.
She thought of the job waiting for her in New York City.
It felt as though history were repeating itself.How had they ended up here?She shouldn’t have spent so much time with him.She shouldn’t have gotten close to him again.
And now she was going to break his heart once more.The thought caused her own heart to ache.Tears pricked the back of her eyes.
She couldn’t see the pain in his eyes—not again.She couldn’t break his heart all over again.This was all her fault.
She pulled free of his embrace and took off down the hallway.There were still a lot of parents standing around, talking while their children ran around the atrium.She worked her way through the crowd and raced out the door into the night.
She loved him.
He was certain of it.
Justin hadn’t intended to tell her that he loved her tonight.In fact, he hadn’t been planning on telling her at all.It had just popped out of his mouth.
He truly loved her.He was as certain of it now as he had been all of those years ago.If he were honest with himself, he’d never stopped loving her.It was why none of his other relationships had gone the distance.He couldn’t love them the way he loved Felicity.
He never thought his proclamation would cause her to run off into the night.Now he had to find her.She was short and moved fast.He’d lost her in the crowd.He’d been hoping she’d be waiting next to his pickup for a ride home.She hadn’t been there.
He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed her number.The phone rang a few times before going to voicemail.He hung up and tried again.She still didn’t pick up.
He started the pickup and slowly drove back to the apartment, all the while scanning the sidewalks.He didn’t see her.Either she got another ride or she took another route.
He pulled into the apartment parking lot.After calling her again and not reaching her, he got out.There were a lot of lights around the apartment building, but there was still no sign of Felicity.
He jogged up to the front door and then rushed inside.Having absolutely no patience for the elevator, he took the stairs two at a time, until he reached the second floor.With long, quick strides he made his way to her mother’s apartment and rapped his knuckles on the door.
The door opened, but it wasn’t Felicity standing there.It was her mother.
“Is Felicity here?”
“No.As far as I know she’s still at the school.”
He shook his head.“She took off, and I don’t know where she is.I’ve tried calling her, but she won’t pick up.”
Her mother’s forehead creased with worry lines.“I don’t understand.Did you two get into an argument or something?”
Again, he shook his head.“No.I… I told her I love her and asked her to stay in Kringle Falls.”
Her mother’s eyes widened.“I see.”
