“Focus on your own sunset. And Julie and I will always be together, even if it’s not the way you guys hoped for.”
“Look at the beaming bride. I’m surprised you’re up so early.”
I swiveled my head toward Julie’s voice. Her hair was pulled back in a messy bun, loose hairs falling over her delicate cheekbones as she giggled with Maria.
“How was your night?” Maria asked as she looked between us. “Do anything good?
“Nothing,” we both answered too quickly.
Maria stepped back, arching a brow.
“Are you surenothingis all that happened?”
“We went for a walk in the gardens and got some gelato,” Julie said, shooting me a quick glance. “Nothing too exciting.”
“We better get going,” I said, lifting Julie’s carry-on bag off the floor.
“Landon,” Julie sighed and pulled at the strap already on my shoulder. “I can handle it.”
“I’m a Southern gentleman now, remember?” I arched a brow at her. A smile twitched at her lips before she conceded.
“Enjoy your honeymoon,” I told Maria and kissed her cheek. “My regards to Elvis if you go.”
Julie’s eyes widened in my periphery. I gave her a tiny shake of my head.
“I will,” Maria said before hugging us both goodbye.
“You’re not going to carry me on to the plane too, are you?”
“Well,” I said with a shrug, “I did forget to carry you over a threshold last night. We should try to keep the traditions where we can, right?” I nodded to her rolling suitcase. “Do you need me to—”
“Remember what I said last night? Yes. Yes, I do.”
She grabbed the handle of her suitcase, pursing her lips at me before turning toward the entrance of the hotel. “I appreciate it, but I can still do things. Like roll a suitcase.”
“I know you can, Jules. I’m just a pain in the ass who wants to help you as much as he can while he has the chance. You can carry all the bags you want when I’m not around. How’s that?”
She turned back, regarding me with a sad smile.
“You’re too good for this world sometimes.”
I stepped up to her and tapped her chin with my knuckle. “What are best friends for? You lead the way.”
I followed her outside to the taxi line, averting my gaze so I wouldn’t be tempted to scrutinize the way she was walking this morning. She seemed well rested and mobile, the opposite of me as I stifled a yawn. Julie eyed me as I climbed into the back of the cab behind her but didn’t call me on the shit I probably looked like.
“Looks like my flight is on time. How’s yours?” Julie asked as she scrolled through the airline app on her phone.
“Seems like mine is too,” I said after checking my phone. “I’m at gate ten.”
“I’m at gate twelve.” She looked up with a wide grin. “Glad we booked the same airline. We get an extra few minutes together before we head in different directions.”
“That’s lucky. I thought for sure we’d be at opposite ends of the airport.”
She lifted her head, her brown eyes bright and shining as they met mine. “It sucks when you have to go just when I get used to having you around.”
“You may have to get used to me beingaroundon a regular basis if I move. Hope that won’t be a problem.”
“It would be the best problem.” She cuddled into my side and dropped her head to my shoulder. I shut my eyes and rested my chin on top of her head, enjoying the last moments of quiet together until the car pulled up at the terminal.
