Page 78 of V is for Valentine
The depth of her disappointment there was telling, as was her yearning to see him one last time, even though keeping her distance would hurt.
Your move.
The best move was no move. The yearning to see him would diminish over time.
Like recovering from a crush.
Yes. That.
“I need to go, Dad.”
“I know.”
After one last hug, Felicity said goodbye to Bud, who was taking her dad home, then followed her sisters to the car where her suitcase was already packed in the trunk. She was traveling in her work clothes because who cared?
Stevie and Tess exchanged a meaningful look over the top of the car before they got in, alerting Felicity to the possibility of an intervention during the trip to the Boise airport. Not that she blamed them. She’d stuck her nose into their affairs recently—with positive results, she was proud to say—but their situations were more cut and dried. At least it seemed that way to her.
But sisters would do what they thought they had to do for one of their own.
With a mental sigh, Felicity got into the back seat of Tess’s car, ready to either fend off an attack, or to roll with it and then do exactly what she pleased, but nothing was said. Fifteen miles into the trip, she began to relax and by twenty miles, she was joining in with their banter. Apparently, they realized that she had her life under control. There were some raw edges she needed to smooth out, but she was good. In control. Doing the right thing.
The justification felt weak. If it wasn’t, then why did she have to keep repeating it?
Her sisters must have sensed weakness, or else they’d plotted their campaign in advance, because they didn’t make their move until they hugged her goodbye near the security line.
“Don’t mess things up with Danny,” Tess murmured as she pulled back from the hug.
Felicity’s back stiffened. “I expected better than a sneak attack.”
“We’re not saying Danny is the one,” Stevie said, “but he’s a good—”
“Guy,” Felicity finished for her. “I’m aware.”
“What we’re saying is to keep an open mind. Don’t shove Danny out of your life because he wasn’t in your plans all along.”
“That’s not what—” Felicity swallowed what remained of her automatic defense. “I appreciate your concern, but this thing with Danny is like a vacation. I’ll go home and get back into my old life and our time together will be a pleasant memory.”
Tess glanced at Stevie, and Felicity let out a growl. “Stop doing that. I know what I’m doing.”
“All right.” Stevie put up her hands.
Felicity glanced at the security line, then back at her sisters. “I realize that you’re thinking of what’s best for me. Now, how about a goodbye hug with no agenda?”
Her sisters went in for a group hug and for a long moment, they held, rocking back and forth until Felicity got bumped from behind.
“I’ll be fine,” she said as they broke apart. “Just…uh…keep an eye on Danny.”
They didn’t ask why or how or what they should be watching for, which was good, because Felicity hadn’t an answer for that question.
“I’ll see you guys in April.” When she would fly to Holly then drive her car back to Seattle. “Take a spin in the Audi once a week to keep the battery charged.”
“Will do,” Tess said. “Travel safe.”
Yes. She would travel safely, then fall back into her routine and life would go on.
Except it wasn’t going to feel quite the same.
Chapter Fourteen
