“Sorry! Veronica needed me to answer some emails,” Annalise says, pushing her purse straps over her shoulder. “Let’s go.”
She walks off to the elevator with Ivy, leaving me behind in the cold, empty office with a hole in my heart.
CHAPTER TWELVE
annalise
FOUR YEARS AGO
“Hey, gorgeous!”Maddox's grin lights up my phone screen. He’s lying in bed wearing a Millennium University hoodie, black hair falling over his forehead in messy waves. Our freshmen year of college has been extremely hectic, and we’ve only been able to see each other twice since the semester started.
Even though some of our calls don’t last long because we’re both too exhausted from a long day, we make an effort to FaceTime each other every night.
“Hey, Maddy Bear. I have some bad news.”
Maddox sits up straight, brows knitting together. “What is it? Is everything okay?”
“I won’t be able to make it next weekend,” I say, sorrow lacing my voice. “I have a major project due and I’m already so behind.”
His expression shifts into a frown. “So we have to spend our three-year anniversary apart?”
“I’m sorry, babe. This project is a major part of my grade.”
“It’s okay… I understand.” He releases a sigh, twisting the drawstrings of his hoodie around his fingers.
The pained look in Maddox’s eyes tugs at my heartstrings and almost makes me ruin my plan. I don’t actually have a project due, and I’m still planning on flying to Chicago to celebrate our anniversary. It’s killing me to keep this from him, but seeing his reaction when I surprise him will be worth it.
“Even though we don’t get to spend our anniversary together, we’ll have plenty more to look forward to. You’re stuck with me for a lifetime.” He gives me a wink, and that adorable dimpled smile returns.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” I smile softly, fingertips hovering over the screen as if I could reach through it and touch him.
Many people said that we’re too young to know what “true love” is, and that we wouldn’t last after high school. But they don’t understand the magnitude of what we feel for each other. This isn’t just a phase. Maddox is my soulmate—the person I’m going to spend the rest of my life with.
“I wish I could come to you, but I have a game that Friday.”
“I guess we’ll have to wait until winter break to see each other…” I put on my best sad face, trying my hardest not to break character.
I can barely contain my excitement. We haven’t seen each other for nearly two months, and I’ve been counting down the days until I get to hold him in my arms and kiss that handsome face.
“Going another month without seeing you…” he whispers, his voice strained. “I don’t know if I can do it. I miss you so much.”
“I miss you too, Maddox,” I murmur.
“Why don’t we take a trip during winter break?” he asks, his voice bubbling with excitement. “We can make it a late anniversarycelebration!”
“That sounds perfect! Since our finals end the first week of December, we can go somewhere the following week.”
“That’s a great plan. Where do you want to go, my love?”
“Hmm… Let’s go somewhere warm. I’m sick of the cold.”
“Tell me about it.” He nods. “This snow is too much. I miss California’s weather.”
“How about Hawaii? I’ve always wanted to go there.”
“Let’s do it. That’s one of my top travel destinations, too.” He beams. “I’ll start looking at flights soon!”
“Maddox is gonna be so happy to see you.” Andrés pulls out the keys to the apartment he shares with Maddox and hands them to me.
