“Thank you,” I murmur, snuggling back into him. And I hope he knows I mean I’m thankful for more than just what he’s done for me over the last few minutes.
He hums in response, though he doesn’t say anything right away. After a moment, his hand slides up to rest on the middleof my chest, and he lets out a short breath as he holds me a little tighter.
“I was scared today,” he says quietly.
I don’t have to ask him what he means. I already know.
I was scared too.
I tilt my head toward him, and his lips find mine in the darkness. He kisses me with that same softness and tenderness he showed while undressing me. There’s an honesty and vulnerability to it that I’m not used to.
When we part, he trails his lips along my jawline, his warm breath on my skin, and then he settles back behind me again, his hand pressing gently into my chest to hold me to him.
“I’m also beyond proud of you,” he whispers. “Whatever happens with the job, I’m proud of you. I hope you know that.”
Warmth washes over me again, and I close my eyes and nod. “I’m actually... a little proud of myself too,” I admit slowly. The words feel weird to say, but they’re true. I bring my hand up to cover his on my chest. “And I’m also hopeful. I-I think... I think even with everything that happened today, I feel loved. And close to you. And that... that gives me strength. And hope.”
He seems to smile into me, and then he kisses my hair. “God, I love that,” he says, holding me to him tighter. “And I love you, Nico.”
“I love you too.”
We’re quiet then. He just keeps holding me, occasionally letting his lips graze my neck, and I let myself relax into him, comfortable and warm. Not too long after, I drift off into sleep, feeling loved and safe in his arms.
Chapter Forty
Alex
“Please,please,pleasecallme when you land. Oh, and don’t forget sunscreen if you spend too much time outside. And water! Don’t forget to drink enough water, too, okay? It’s easy to forget when you’re traveling. Nico, I put Alex’s EpiPen in the outer pocket of his carry-on. You know how to administer it, right? Please be careful about what you eat. Oh gosh, I’m going to miss both of you so much.”
My mom hastily wipes a tear from her cheek, and I shake my head, laughing.
“We’re only going to be gone for a couple days, Mom.”
“I know, I know, but I’m still going to miss you,” she says, and then she quickly pulls me in for a hug, squeezing me tight for several long seconds before she lets me go. She turns to Nico, who’s standing stiffly next to me, his backpack hanging from his good shoulder and his left arm still in the sling he got from the nurse at the urgent care clinic three weeks ago.
I can see him hesitate, but then he drops his chin and steps forward into her embrace. His eyes close, and his shoulders relax a little. And my heart stutters.
“You’re going to do great, I know it,” I hear my mom whisper to him, and he sucks in a breath and nods against her. My mom’sholding back more tears when they part, and she smiles gently at him, one hand still on his upper arm. “Vera’s a very nice woman, and she wouldn’t have invited you for an in-person interview if she wasn’t serious about you as a candidate for the position. Just remember that, okay?”
Nico nods again, more decisively this time, and then he steps back closer to me. I reach up and set my hand on his back.
My mom just stares at us for another few seconds, blinking away tears as she smiles.
I tilt my head toward the security line. “We should go.”
She nods. “Yeah, yeah. Call me. Please?”
“I will, Mom,” I assure her. I shoulder my duffle bag and give her a smile. “Love you.”
“I love you, too.Bothof you,” she says, and then she purses her lips and wipes another tear from her cheek as Nico and I turn and start walking toward the short security line.
It’s not busy for a Friday evening. Not that I have much experience at busy airports, or even airports in general, but there are only a couple of people in line ahead of us, and within just a few minutes, we’re through the TSA check, slipping our feet back into our shoes on the other side of the scanners. I look up and find my mom again, and I give her a wave. She blows me a kiss and forms a heart with her hands, and I grin and send her a heart back.
Then I turn to Nico, who’s just finished stuffing his boarding pass and wallet back into his pocket.
“Ready?” I ask.
“If I say no, will we have time to catch your mom before she leaves?” He lifts his eyes, and I can tell he’s only half joking. “Also, I hate this stupid sling.Whyare you making me wear it again?”
