Page 49 of Forever

CHAPTER 17

ANABEL

When I reach the door, I close my eyes, my head tilted backward so that the warm rays of sun can kiss my face. I inhale deeply, the saltiness from the ocean filling my lungs. The soft breeze swirls loose curls around me, lifting them in the air and messing my dark locks.

The whole scene brings back memories. Memories of another day, just like this one. The day I made a decision that took me across the ocean and brought me so much. There were good moments and bad moments, but in the end, it doesn’t matter.

That day, that decision, brought me William Price, and I would do it all over again—the good, the bad, and the ugly—just to have him in my life.

I’m finally done.

The presentation of the thesis went well, and now I’m officially a college graduate with a master’s degree.

I’m finally free, and I can go to him.

Last time when I left the States to come back home and resume my life—my normal life—William came all the way to Croatia to win me back. This time I’m going to him willingly. I’ll tell him about everything that’s been going on through my mind for the past few weeks and hope he’ll have me regardless.

Opening my eyes, I take a step down the stairs, I have to get back home and finish packing but I stop, shell-shocked.

I blink a few times, and then a few more just for a good measure before I run down the stairs so fast my feet trip over each other almost causing me to fall. But I don’t, thank god. That wouldn’t only be embarrassing, but also dangerous.

He’s waiting for me next to our bench. The one where we kept on kissing after he came to get me the first time around. His arms are open.

Inviting.

I run into them. And as soon as I’m within reaching distance he pulls me in. His big, strong hands wrap around me and he lifts me to his chest. My legs wrap around his waist and my hands tighten around his neck.

With my hand settled in the crook of his neck I let myself breathe him in. His clean, spicy scent and Will.

My Will.

“What are you doing here?” I finally manage to utter.

Those first few minutes after we see each other after weeks or even months are always filled with silence. It doesn’t matter where we are because in our world only the two of us exist.

We hold onto each other close. Never letting go. Never loosening our hold.

It’s just us and this feeling of finally being complete.

Belonging.

His nose traces my neck, and I can feel him inhale my scent. “I couldn’t stay away much longer. Not when I knew you need me here. Not when I miss you so damn much it hurts.”

“I miss you too,” I whisper against his skin, kissing the hollow between his shoulder and neck.

Moving just a bit, I cup his scruffy cheeks.

His brown hair is messy and chocolate eyes have bags underneath them. He probably came straight from the airport.

“I came to your apartment, but you weren’t there.”

“I had to come to school. It’s the defense of thesis day.”

“What?” His brown eyes widen. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

I shrug, my fingers digging into his messy locks and massaging his scalp. “I planned to tell you once I got to the States.”

This surprised him even more. “What the actual fuck?”

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