He leans back, eyes locked on mine. “We needed this, Mads. I know it’s hard for you because you’re home and I’m across the country, but I promise, you’re on my mind every second. In less than a year, we’ll be together, and this summer, we’ll figure out a way to see each other more.”
I smile at the thought. “I hope so. What time do you leave for the airport?”
He shrugs. “Whenever.”
“Well, what time is your flight?”
“We chartered our own plane. We leave when we tell the pilot.”
I stare at him in disbelief. “That’s insane, you know that, right?”
He shrugs again, and I roll my eyes.
I will never grasp the kind of money Nate has.
“Anyway…guess what?”
He grins. “What, babe?”
“I’m going to live in Los Angeles, Nate. Little ol’ me is moving all the way from Georgia. I can hardly believe it.”
“I can’t wait, babe.”
“Oh!” My eyes widen with excitement. “I need to call Addie. She’s going to flip. Have you seen her much?”
“Only the time I told you about, right after she moved in a few weeks ago.”
“You need to befriend her, Nate. I told you, Addie puts off this cool girl vibe, but she’s shier than you’d think, and she knows no one there.”
“I will.” He cups my cheek, his thumb tracing slow circles against my skin. “We have ten minutes left. And all I want is your lips on mine the whole time.”
“Sounds like a plan.” I smile through my words, then lean in and press my lips against his.
“Mmm…cherries,” he murmurs around my lips. “Different from my lollipops, though.”
I reach into my back pocket and take out my cherry lip balm. “This is better than getting a cavity. Now I can taste you every day.”
A low, possessive growl rumbles through his chest before he leans back in, capturing my lips again.
And that’s how we stay until Mase finds us and tells me it’s time to go.
I steel myself.
I’m not going to cry.
I’m going to be strong.
Over and over, I remind myself that I’ll hear his voice the second he’s home.
Still, my heart aches as I wave goodbye and blow him one last kiss.
“Love you, Mads,” he calls, winking before turning and walking away.
10
Maddie—Age Twenty-One
Nate—Age Twenty-Two
