Page 65 of Continuum

“What’s the worst that could happen?” she asked.

“He could say he doesn’t feel the same way. He could say he was just looking for some fun for the weekend. He could say he isn’t interested.” I got out of the car and ran toward the airport as I was rattling off worst-case scenarios.

But even as I said them out loud, I didn’t believe he’d say any of those things. What I felt between us was too real for him to dismiss it, so I didn’t truly think any of what I was saying was true.

So, I stopped.

“Actually, I’m just scared of it not working out,” I told my best friend honestly.

“When I say weak ass, you say bitch. Weak ass!”

“Bitch!” I smiled as I entered the airport. “I just got inside, and the screen says there’s a Chicago flight at noon at Gate E 14. I’ll call you back and let you know what happens. It should be—no fucking way.” I stopped in my tracks. My stomach bottomed out and my mouth went dry. “Oh my God.”

“What?”

“Angel,” I whispered. I was gripping the small phone in my hand so tight it felt like it might break.

“What? What do you mean?”

“I-I-I’ll call you back,” I stammered.

I was pretty sure Italy was still talking but my eyes were trained on the woman with the dark, bone-straight hair that flowed down her back. A blue streak was visible as she turned and pointed down a corridor. It had to be the same woman from the other night. Statistically, it had to be her.

I have to find Kwame and I have to see who this woman is.

I was torn.

I used the app on my phone to buy a refundable fifty-dollar flight so I could get to the different gates. As I was making my purchase, I kept the woman in my sights. But since I had no luggage, I quickly and easily made it through security, and I lost her in the crowd.

With one last look around I spotted her just as I approached the shuttle that would take me to Gate E 14. I shut my eyes tight and took a deep breath. I had a choice—stick around and see who the woman really was or go find Kwame and tell him how I feel.

I love you and miss you forever Angel,I thought to myself as I stepped on the shuttle to do what I should’ve done the night before and sixteen years before that.

I was going after my man.

Adrenaline and nerves coursed through my veins so when I got to Gate E 14, I realized I didn’t know what I was going to say. I suddenly felt very stalkerish.

I could’ve just called him.

Oh. My. God.

He’s going to call the police.

He’s going to think that I got dick and lost my mind.

He’s going to ask me to explain myself and I don’t have an explanation.

I’m embarrassed already.

Maybe I can leave, and he won’t see me—

“Aisha?” Eli grabbed my arm and flashed me a big smile. “What are you doing here?”

“Hey Eli.” I gave him an awkward wave. “Where is Kwame? I need to talk to him before you guys take off.”

“You just missed him.”

My face fell. “What?”

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