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The closer I get to gate three, though, the more concerned I become. There aren’t many travelers milling around, waiting to board. In fact, the gate is nearly empty. I come to a halt the moment I find an attendant locking the gangway door.

“Wait! I need to see someone!” I wave my arms and run to him. I reach for the door’s handle, but he blocks me.

“I’m sorry, sir. The plane’s door is already locked.” The man holds up his hands in a calming gesture, but it doesn’t help. I’m a hot mess.

I press my hands to the windows and stare at the plane. It sits on the tarmac on the other side, not far away. One of those dark windows holds my lady, my hell kitten, my sparkles, my fucking everything. For all I know, Adam could be sitting next to her.

Inside my mind, I’m acting out, screaming and yelling. My blood pressure is rising so high, I may combust. All the frustration rushes out when I smack the glass and the entire wall wobbles. People stop to stare.

The gate attendant picks up the phone and whispers, “Security.”

It’s too late, though, because I’m spiraling. I can’t believe I didn’t trust Sophia to make her own decisions about Adam.

Why am I like this? She can protect herself. She doesn’t need me to do it. I loathe myself for not setting things straight, for not trusting that she’d choose us over some faded memory of him.

I’m an idiot!

With the attendant closing in on me, I dart back through the tiny airport. When I spot a security guard weaving through the crowd, I dip behind a group of travelers and slip out the main door to drop-offs.

Still parked on the curb, Matt waits in the jalopy, but I don’t make it back to the truck. I drop to my knees in the center of the sidewalk, and when that’s not low enough, I lay down on my back and stare at the ceiling. I didn’t know a heart could break like this, but then again, I didn’t know I could love like this. All these feelings are too big to contain.

“Fuck me.” I grab my chest and rub that spot. It physically hurts.

Damn it! I fucked up the best thing that ever happened to me. I have no one to blame but myself. I don’t even deserve her.

A horn honks, and I remember there’s an entire world going on around me. Travelers and their suitcases roll past. An intercom mentions details of an upcoming flight. A bird flaps its wings into the eaves above.

The horn honks again in a lyrical manner and I lift my head, ready to scold Matt because I want to be left alone to wallow in my pain. But instead, I find a Jeep parked behind the jalopy.

My Jeep.

Sophia sits in the driver’s seat with one arm slung over the steering wheel. She lowers her heart-shaped glasses and glares at me over the rims.

“Someone texted and said you needed a ride,” she hollers.

I sit up and look around, trying to figure out if I’m living in an alternate universe. Didn’t she just leave on an airplane? Or did I make up the entire thing in my head?

“You know, the ride with the nice, clean, and comfortable leather seat, without a maniac driver at the wheel.” Sophia’s grin is so wide, it’s unnatural. She slides her hands over the passenger seat and pats it. “I’ll bet this is your favorite song, too.”

She cranks up the radio and bobs her head. It’s not my favorite song, but it’s probably hers. It’s an old-school alternative-rock anthem about promising someone they’ll fall in love with you.

I scowl. What’s happening? Why does this seem so familiar? Is this déjà vu?

My gaze swings from Matt to her, then back and forth again.

“Are you pranking me? Is this a prank?” My head jolts when I remember this is where we started, right here in almost the exact same spot.

“Pranking you? I told Matt to tell you and Tina I needed to meet Amelia at the airport and I’d be back. She had to take an earlier flight to get to a job interview. I had her ID in my tote. Didn’t he tell you?” Sophia asks.

I pop up on my feet. “Matt! You little shit! I’m going to . . .” I stomp toward him.

“Finally! Matto gets a prank in!” He laughs maniacally. “Tell her you love her, bro, it’s time!” He revs the jalopy engine and peels rubber out of the space, leaving me with Sophia.

I turn my attention on her, but I can’t believe what I’m seeing. I convinced myself she left.

No, Matt convinced me she left. He made me feel like I lost her. The jackass.

Then I remember that I could still lose her if I don’t confess everything, and right now.