Wouldn’t have it any other way?What the hell was that? Might as well have flat-out admitted I’ve got feelings for her. Great. This whole situation is way more complicated than I was prepared for.
So, I do what I always do. I force a smile. “Besides, it’s not like I had anything better to do, right?”
Great. Nailed it. That wasdefinitelyworse.
She raises an eyebrow, and I catch the little flicker in the corner of her mouth, that almost smile, and my heart skips a beat. It’s like watching the sun peek through the clouds. I want to see herreallysmile. I know it’s not my place to ask for it, but I can’t help the thought of being the one to make her smile again, after everything she’s been through. If I could do that, it’d be worth it.
“Well,” she says softly. “I appreciate it. More than you know.”
She leaves me with a small wave, and I watch her walk toward the entrance, her blonde hair catching the light with every step. The air is heavier, almost charged. Then she glances over her shoulder, and our eyes lock.
For a second, everything else…stops.
I force myself to look away.Don’t read too much into it.She’s walking away. It’s like any other goodbye. Doesn’t matter that it feels different this time or that I don’t want to let go. It’s only a trip to the airport. That’s all. If I make it awkward, she’ll feel it. And I’m not about to make this harder than it needs to be.
I clear my throat, pushing those thoughts aside, and throw out the first thing that comes to mind.
“Bye, Sunshine! Don’t forget to wear sunscreen!”
She turns around and looks at me like I’ve completely lost my mind. I mean, c’mon, did she really think she’d get away without me trying to embarrass her or at least get a laugh?
“You’re practically glowing. At this rate, you might start attracting seagulls. Just looking out for you.”
A blush creeps across her cheeks, and I swear, it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. She sticks her tongue out at me, and I almost lose it right there.
“You’re ridiculous,” she says, but there’s amusement in her voice.
I grin, a rush of pride flooding in that comes from knowing I’ve gotten under her skin in the best way. She rolls her eyes, mutters something half-hearted, and I eat it up like it’s the best thing I’ve tasted all week.
My grin fades almost as fast as it comes. Because then it hits me.
I’m going to miss her.
That wasn’t part of the plan. I don’t domissingpeople. I don’t sit still long enough to let anyone get close. It’s easier that way. No roots, no complications. And yet here I am, standing still like a damn idiot, watching as she rolls that suitcase behind her that I suddenlywant to set on fire.
I keep telling myself I’m just looking out for her. That pushing her to open up and trying to keep her safe is about her, not me. But maybe that’s bullshit. Maybe I want to save her because some part of me is desperate to believe I should.
And that’s the real kicker because when did she become the thing I don’t want to walk away from?
eight
BREE
Ican’t explain how I went from “hey, thanks for the motorcycle ride” to texting Callan every day. It started innocently enough—a simple check-in from him the day after I landed to make sure I got home okay.
Then, somehow, it turned into good morning texts. Photos of his day. Late-night calls that stretched until one of us fell asleep with the phone still pressed to our ear.
It’s been three months, and now I’m sitting cross-legged on my new couch in my condo. I’m renting in Lexington close to work, and I’ve toured a few houses. I found one place with original hardwood and a clawfoot tub that practically seduced me on sight. I almost signed right there on the spot for the bath situation alone, but…it didn’t feel right. Nothing’s whispered home to me yet.
I’m staring at my phone. The screen lights up with his name, and my heart does that stupid flutterthing again.
Callan:
Morning, Sunshine. How’s the new place treating you?
I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face as I type back.
Me:
