Page 100 of Heart to Heart
“Tell him we’re about a mile south of the George Miller, Jr. Memorial Bridge,” Jay interjected.
“We’re a mile south of the George Miller, Jr. Memorial Bridge.”
“Holy shit, John, you chose the right airport. We just crossed that bridge. We’re a half-mile behind you.”
“Damn, they must have been hauling ass,” Jay said.
“Yes, an ample amount of ass,” John said in the background.
“John had you on speaker,” Tristan said apologetically. “Avery, I’m getting out of the car, and I’m going to start heading your way. I don’t see traffic moving anytime soon.”
“If you’re getting out, then I am, too.”
“I don’t suppose I can talk you out of it for your safety, could I.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Didn’t think so.”
I ended the call and handed the phone to Jay. “Thank you. For Everything.”
“My pleasure. I’ll have Sasha get in contact with you soon.”
I nodded, smiling at him as I opened the door and hopped onto the shoulder of the roadway, sprinting north past cars as fast as my uncoordinated legs would carry me, creating what I was sure was quite the sight for the other motorists. I wasn’t sure how far a half-mile was, but it didn’t sound like much sitting in a van.
After running past innumerable cars, semi-trucks, and all manners of vehicular transport, I saw Tristan running in my direction on the shoulder. Whatever burning that had erupted in my calves, or however fatigued I was, washed away when I caught him sprinting to me like something from a movie. As he passed the cars on the road, I could see motorists craning their heads out of their vehicles to watch him, and I pushed my legs to move faster, closing the gap between us and, finally, falling into his arms.
He hugged me tightly to his chest, his hand running through my hair. “I thought I may never see you again,” he choked out.
I pulled back to look at him. “I never should have questioned you. We haven’t known each other very long, but I feel like I know you better than I know most people, and I promise you I’ll give you a chance to explain in the future.”
“And I promise you, Avery, that I will never do anything that would make me have to explain myself to you.”
“I love you, Tristan Tagmatarke. I love you.”
He smiled down at me, relief and affection overcoming him, as he rested his forehead against mine. “And my heart is yours, Avery Martin.”
In the middle of the shoulder on I-680, amid exhaust fumes, blaring horns, cameras, and someone asking, “Who the hell is Tristan Tagmatarke?” Tristan kissed me with the kind of kiss that made people stand up and cheer at the end of a movie. The kind of kiss that screamed forever.
EPILOGUE
TRISTAN
THREE YEARS LATER
“Good evening,everyone. I’m Kamila Lewis, and welcome to a specialWhere Are They Nowedition ofHeart to Heart.”
I stood backstage, ready to be introduced to the audience, including twenty-four of the twenty-five women who had competed during my season. It was a season that had seen the highest ratings and most memorable ending of any of the seasons, especially considering the finale had been cobbled together with snippets of cell phone footage from spectators who had been on the 680 the day my life changed forever.
And what a change it had been.
I smoothed down my grey slacks that I paired with a more understated black Henley and grey sports coat. She always liked it when I dressed down, and I liked the look in her eyes when she saw something she liked.
“Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, I give you Tristan Tate.”
I stepped out on stage to thunderous applause, waving at the audience and smiling at the women who’d gone on this journey with me, joining Kamila on the pink velvet couch.
“Well, if it isn’t the rebel himself. How have you been, Tristan?”
