Page 64 of Love Off Course

On that note, I close my eyes and dream that we aren’t.

“Sherrie-dan,”Estefania says, shaking me awake. “Time to wake up.”

I yawn and look around. Everyone is gathering their things to go. We’ve landed. I’ll see Daddy soon. And David. I’m met with a mixture of confusing emotions.

“I would offer you my security detail, but you would be safer just hanging back until we make our way through the crowd.” She frowns. “Can I call you later?”

Tears prickle at my eyes. “Of course.”

She grins at me. So beautiful. So sweet. She pulls me to my feet and hugs me, her perky tits smashing into my face. I inhale my friend’s lovely scent and sigh. I’m going to miss her something terrible.

“Va-jay-jay sammich!”

We squeal when Damian bear hugs us both. It’s all giggles until he starts to cry. He’s dramatic as always, but it sets Estefania and me off. Who knew leaving these people would be so hard?

I’m the first to pull away.

I need to be strong for everyone. That’s what I’m good at. I swipe away my tears and shoo off Estefania.

“Be careful and call me later.” I wave to her and then turn to Damian. “Be good, mister.”

“As if,” he says, just like the girl fromClueless.

He hugs me one more time before bounding off the plane. Everyone has exited except me. Lawton gives me a knowing smirk before busying himself with something in one of thecabinets. Camilo steps out of the cockpit, his nearly black eyes zeroed in on me. He watches me like a hawk as I gather my bags. I lift my chin and roll my suitcase toward him.

“It was nice meeting you,” I tell him with a polite smile.

His dark eyebrow arches up. “Nice. That it?”

“Yep.”

He steps closer until his chest brushes mine. “I thought it was far better than nice. Fucking amazing. Especially all the parts I spent alone with you.”

My skin heats at his words. “Yeah, it was fucking amazing.”

“Sher…” He trails off, his lips lowering to mine. “I hope you find happiness.”

“Me too,” I whisper.

His lips press to mine in the softest, sweetest farewell kiss. He strokes his fingers through my hair and then lets out a resigned sigh.

“Goodbye, stranger.”

I smile, thinking about the song and all the Funky Flyers singing it. “Goodbye, bird boy.”

As soon as we part ways, the tears threaten. Everything blurs. My heart is in my throat. I crave to run back to him and beg him to help me figure out a way for us to spend more time together. Instead, I keep walking. With every step, I try like hell to lift my chin and remember I’m a badass female who can handle anything. Even walking away from the man who’s made her feel more alive than she ever has in her life.

I’m so lost in Camilo thoughts that I almost slam into a guy with a camera. Lots of them in fact. Holy shit. Why are there so many people here? They’re screaming. Actually screaming. I’d panic thinking we were under attack, except they’re all screaming the same thing.

Estefania.

Estefania.

Estefania.

A huge guy dressed all in black sidles up next to me. “Miss Villegas asked for me to escort you through the crowd.” I barely get out a confirmation before he’s all but dragging me through the crazies. They’re all screaming and crying. Crying! Several are throwing roses and stuffed animals toward the area I must assume Estefania went. Holy shit. I didn’t realize how famous she was in Costa Rica.

The man in black manages to get us to another area where several more security guys crowd around my friend. Her normally carefree smile is gone as she frowns. She seems so overwhelmed and sad. It breaks my heart for her.

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