Page 82 of Words I Couldn't Say
MY LAST MORNING INCINCINNATIarrived all too soon. When I’d gotten there, it had been late August, with scorching heat. By now, it was early November and we’d been promised a dusting of snow. I was secretly hoping for blizzard so I wouldn’t have to leave.
Tucker woke me with sweet kisses trailing down the curve of my spine. We made love languidly, soaking up every bit of each other we could before we were parted again. I felt like we’d been back together for years when, in reality, it had only been a few months.
Tears were streaming down my face when Tucker came back from the bathroom. He gathered me into his arms and kissed me tenderly.
“Hey, don’t be sad. You’re coming back in two weeks,” he reminded me.
It would be my first Thanksgiving at home since I’d moved to California, and I was ecstatic to be able to spend holidays with my family again. With Tucker again.
I sniffled. “I know. I’m just going to miss you.”
“I’ll miss you, too,” he admitted. He used his thumb to lift my chin. His blue eyes were shining. “But we’ll talk every day. You’ll be back for the holidays, and before you know it, I’ll be joining you in L.A.”
I gasped. “What?”
He nodded. “Tanner wants to run the business. It’s time I let him. I gave up years of being with you. I won’t do it again. I promise you, Ava. This time, it’s forever.”
My eyes swam with tears. I knew we were solid. I knew that this time was so different. It didn’t make the idea of leaving any easier though. So, instead of crying like I wanted to, I climbed on top of Tucker and showed him just how much his words meant to me.
The words replayed in my mind repeatedly after I’d made it to the airport. With each step that took me closer to the terminal and my departing plane, my feet—and my heart—grew heavier. What was I doing? Could I really repeat history and walk away when we’d found each other again? Ugh. I needed to stop thinking so much. It was driving me crazy, all the wondering and worrying, when, in the long run, we’d be fine.
Tucker was right. This time, we’d make it. Regardless of how many miles were between us, we were both older and wiser and our love was stronger than ever. We’d be perfectly fine until he could get things settled and come to California.
But, as soon as the thought crossed my mind, I realized that it wasn’t what I wanted.
“Ava? You coming?” Leo asked when I was no longer walking beside him. He and Layla had surprised me at the ticket counter. Apparently, he’d been right and she loved the town so much so that they’d spent the few days after the wrap party exploring. Then they’d been able to get first-class tickets on my flight.
But I couldn’t leave this place. I couldn’t leave my home. “No.”
And, at that moment, I made my decision without even hesitating. A decision I should’ve made years ago. A decision, I prayed, Tucker would accept.
Because, this time, Ava Banks wasn’t walking away from the only man she’d ever loved. The only man she would ever love. Nope, not a chance. Instead, she was running towards him, not just with open arms, but with sprinting legs, aching lungs, and a pounding heart. Because, if she had to chase him, she would, and she’d tackle his ass and hold him down until he admitted that he loved her, too.
That’s exactly what I was going to do.
Leo and Layla exchanged a knowing smile then beamed in my direction, both offering hugs before their bodyguard ushered them to the jet bridge.
The overcom speaker crackled. “Final boarding call for flight 2854 to Los Angeles…”
I peered down at my ticket then quietly ripped it up. All the assurances we’d given each other, all the promises we’d made—they didn’t matter. I’d already spent so much time away from Tucker that I refused to do it again. Sure, I’d have to go back and forth between here and California or whichever filming location I had to be at, but it would be worth it.
It wasn’t just that Cincinnati was my home; Tucker was that for me. I couldn’t walk away this time.
“Wait! I’m coming!”
I froze at the sound of his voice. I glanced up just in time to see Tucker racing towards the airline employee who had already shut the door to the jet bridge. By the time he reached the counter, she was already dealing with another flyer. Tucker obviously didn’t care. He pushed the man aside and planted his hands on the counter.
“I have to be on that flight!” he shouted.
The employee barely contained her rolling eyes. “I’m sorry, sir. We already did the final boarding call. You’ll have to visit customer service to change your flight.”
Tucker argued, begged, and pleaded until he realized that it was no use. His shoulders slumped and his head hung low. He crossed the room and stared out the window, watching intently, not moving, even long after the plane had departed. I could only see his side profile. His jaw was tight, and he kept flexing his hands, balling them into fists and then releasing them only to continue doing it over and over again. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to go to him.
