Page 41 of Happily Ever After

Brick grunted in agreement. He pulled up to the curb and shifted the truck into Park, the engine ticking softly as it shut down.

The airport seemed more awake than she was. Sliding doors opened and closed in a steady rhythm, and in the distance, she could hear the low roll of suitcases over concrete.

Brick cranked his window down, letting in the conversation of two businessmen crossing in front of them, their voices purposeful in that particular Monday-morning way. Blaise watched it all through the windshield despite knowing she had to get out.

Beau moved between them, whining softly as his nose twitched at the new smells coming in the window. He let out a small, uncertain huff.

“I know,” Blaise said, giving him a quick hug. “I’m going to miss you, too.”

Brick watched her. “You’ve got plenty of time,” he said. “No rush. But I sit here too long and that cop’s going to give me the eye.”

Blaise nodded. “Okay.” She still didn’t reach for the handle.

“You’re going to be great.”

She smiled. “Thanks.”

“And Beau will be just fine.”

“I know.” She leaned toward Brick.

He met her in the middle, kissing her goodbye. “You’ll be home before you know it,” he said as they parted.

“Yep. I’ll text when I get in.” She leaned toward Beau, and kissed the top of his head, breathing in that warm, familiar dog smell that somehow made leaving harder.

Brick got out, closing the door with a quick glance to make sure Beau had stayed put. Brick came around to her side, opening her door.

She picked up her tote and slung it over her shoulder, then checked her purse. Phone. Wallet. Boarding pass. All there. She slid out and moved so he could shut the door.

She faced him. “Thank you for bringing me.”

“Of course.” He paused. “Let me know how it goes.”

“I will.”

Beau whined softly, tail thumping against the seat. He put his paws on the edge of the window to look at her. Blaise gave him a little wave. “Be good for Brick. I’ll be back tomorrow, baby,” she told him.

Then she smiled at Brick. “You’ll barely have time to miss me.”

Brick smiled. “Still might.”

That made her laugh. She adjusted her sunglasses and took a deep breath.

“I bet this turns into something big,” Brick said.

Blaise shrugged one shoulder. “It’s just a photoshoot.”

“No, it’s not,” he said gently.

He was right. It was more than that. It was her chance to start things over.

“Bye.” Blaise started toward the sliding doors. Just before they closed behind her, she glanced back. Brick was still standing there, one hand resting on the car door, Beau still watching through the window.

Blaise lifted a hand in a small wave, then turned and went inside, letting the hum of the airport carry her forward.

She boarded about an hour later, having gotten through security without issue. As soon as she was in her seat, she buckled her seatbelt and got her phone out to send one last text to the Queen Bees.

On the plane. Miami-bound. I’ll report back once I’m in the hotel.