Page 157 of Double Fault

My lips part and I groan. “I should’ve known you’d splurge.”

He picks up my backpack and holds it out so I can slip my arms through the straps. Then he spins me around and cups my cheeks, his head lowered to mine.

The people around us are getting a show, but I don’t care. I’m leaving the love of my life and I don’t know what happens from here. I don’t know whether we’ll make it work or whether he’ll become just a memory. Ahey, remember when I was with that tennis player?

“I love you,” he whispers against my lips. “When you’re sad, don’t forget that.”

I grip his hoodie, desperate to hang on for as long as possible. “I love you too.”

With two fingers beneath my chin, he tilts my face up. “Call me the second you land, okay?”

With a thick swallow, I nod. “I will.”

“I mean it. And text me when you find Lucy and when you get to her house and?—”

I cover his lips with my finger. “I will. I promise.”

“You have to go,” he says. He doesn’t let me go.

“I know.” I make no move to release him either.

His mouth finds mine in a long, slow kiss. I’m sure people are staring, but I can’t find it in myself to care.

“I love you,” he says, taking a step back.

The lump in my throat threatens to choke me. “I love you too.”

He walks with me to the boarding area and watches as I scan my ticket and step onto the jet bridge.

Does he know I’m leaving my heart with him?

Just before the jet bridge turns, I look back and find him still watching.

I lift my hand in a wave.

He does the same.

Fuck, I hate goodbyes. We didn’t say the word, but that’s what this is.

I make it onto the plane and find a sparkling water already waiting for me. Not that I’ll drink it. I’ve never understood the appeal of carbonated water. I settle, pulling out my headphones in the hope that I can drown out my thoughts and shoving my bag beneath the seat in front of me.

It hits me now, that because Noah purchased a ticket, I won’t have a seat mate. It’s a blessing. I don’t need a stranger witnessing my impending breakdown.

I hold it together while the flight attendants go over the safety guidelines and as we taxi to the runway, but once we’re in the air, the tears finally fall. I look out the window, wondering if one of the specks disappearing below is Noah, and let myself cry.

CHAPTER 39

SABRINA

It feelslike a year has passed by the time I step off the plane.

I ring Noah from the jet bridge and he answers as I’m stepping into the airport in search of a bathroom.

“Hey.” He sounds a tad breathless. “You landed?”

“Yeah. I have to pee so bad.”

His chuckle causes tears to fill my eyes because I don’t know when I’m going to hear that sound in person again. “Did you not pee on the flight?”

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