When we reach Chicago, we follow GPS to her friend’s apartment building.
“This is a nice place,” I say as I live park on the side of the street and lift her bags out of the truck.
Hannah puts Lucky in her backpack, and I help her adjust the straps before she puts them over her shoulders. We walk together to the front door of the building, and then we both stop short.
I’m about to struggle through some uncomfortable attempt at parting, but Hannah doesn’t allow for it.
She stands on her tiptoes and kisses me goodbye quickly. “I hope you have a beautiful life, Maverick Court. Thank you for the best week I’ve ever had.”
She immediately turns to leave, but I reach out and catch her wrist. I pull her into me and wrap my arms around her in a tight hug.
“Thank you, Hannah.” I bury my face in her neck, inhaling her scent I never want to forget. “You gave me so much more than I could have ever given you.”
She lifts her head back and looks up at me with tears in her eyes. I lean down and touch my lips to hers.
Our kiss is tinged with pain. It’s the kind of kiss you share when you’re saying goodbye, not hello. It’s the opposite of our kiss in Vegas when the road trip was just beginning and we weren’t on the verge of parting. This kiss is exactly why I didn’t want to get involved with her.
Because saying goodbye to Hannah hurts even worse than I thought it would. My chest aches as we pull apart at the same time and turn away in opposite directions.
I’ve made it about ten agonizing steps when I stop and look back. Through the round bubble window in the backpack, Lucky’s staring back at me. I raise my hand in a pathetic wave. I’m actually waving goodbye to a cat.
She opens her mouth in a meow.
“Take good care of Hannah,” I whisper softly.
And then I continue my trek through the city to move into my own place.
* * *
Hannah
Our goodbye is fast.
I don’t give Maverick a chance to try to explain or make excuses. He catches me by surprise when he thanks me. And when he holds on tightly like he doesn’t want to let me go. I hug him back but don’t let myself linger. Instead, I turn and walk away to Kia’s apartment.
She’s waiting for me in the lobby.
“Oh, my God, that was the saddest farewell I’ve ever seen!” Her green eyes are teary. “It was like something out of a romantic film.”
“Don’t those usually end happily?”
“Your film isn’t over yet, darling. He’ll reach out. Give him time to miss you.”
I let the tears fall as Kia takes me in her arms. “I don’t need time. I miss him right now.” I stare at her as the realization hits me. “I love him.”
“So fucking tell him that. And don’t tell me you can’t. Do it.”
“He’s not ready for that,” I say softly.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Maverick
My first night without Hannah is lonely as hell.
I stare out the window of my high-rise apartment in the Windy City. The view is gorgeous. And this apartment feels so empty.
I wait until nine o’clock to text her.
