Time is a bitch.
Because when I was nursing my broken heart and every breath felt like my last, the seconds crawled.
But the week I want to stretch forever goes by in the blink of an eye, and the next thing I know, I’m standing at Gate M17 at O’Hare’s international terminal, clutching June’s trembling body to mine, unwilling to release her.
“You have to let go, Spring,” my sister whispers, her voice trembling as her arms tighten around me. “I don’t want you to miss your flight.”
“If I miss it, then I can stay with you forever.”
She hiccups, burrowing her face in my neck. “I’m going to miss you so much.”
“Say the word, Summer,” I sniff. “If you need me to stay, I swear I will.”
She slowly, painfully, pulls back, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. “No. You have to go. You have to do this.”
I give her a watery smile. “You sure, baby?”
Instead of answering, she shrugs the matching backpack Penny got for her and Jackie off her shoulder. She rummages through the front pocket for a while before retrieving a small box.
“I waited so long to give you cause I didn’t want to say goodbye yet,” she says softly, pressing the box into my hands.
I open it, and my breath catches. “Oh, Spring.”
Inside are two silver necklaces with matching S pendants.
“S for Spring,” June whispers.
I chuckle. “S for Summer.”
“And look, if you…” She reaches in and pushes the necklaces together. The pendants click like a magnet to form the infinity symbol.
June smiles. “‘Cause no matter where we are, we’re sisters forever.”
“Oh, baby.”
I pull her to me, memorizing how her body feels, how she smells. I know this is absolutely not a goodbye forever, but I know for a fact that when I see her next, my little sister will have changed–grown taller, gained weight.
It’ll be the first change she goes through without me by her side.
“Once again, this is the final boarding call for United Airlines Flight 137 to Paris, departing from Gate M17. We look forward to welcoming you on board. Merci et bon voyage.”
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Chapter 202
Julian’s hand on my shoulder is warm and gentle. “Apiil,” he says softly, “First Class passengers board first.”
I chuckle bitterly as I pull away. Who would have thought flying first class would be an annoyance?
With shaky fingers, I set the necklace around June’s neck and then turn, crouching down for her to do the same.
I place a lingering kiss on her hair before stepping back.
Then I hug Penny. “Thank you,” I whisper fiercely. “There’s no conceivable way to properly show my gratitude.”
She shakes my head, squeezing me. “It’s my pleasure. I promise I will take care of and love June like my own.”
I nod. “I know.” I would never leave if I didn’t know without a doubt that she was in the best set of hands possible.
I hug Lou next. “Thank you,” I whisper. “None of this would have happened if you hadn’t submitted that application for me.”
She giggles. “You’re absolutely welcome.” She squeezes me tightly. “God, I’m going to miss living with you.”
I sniff. “Me too. I love you, Lou.”
We pull back, and she brushes a tear away. “Love you too, babe.”
Next is Lara. “See you soon, hon,” she says, stroking my hair. “I’ll visit so often, you’ll be sick of me.”
I laugh softly. “Not possible.”
She releases me, and then there’s only one person left I have to say goodbye to.
“Hey,” Nathan says softly, cupping my face. His thumb catches the tear sliding down my cheek. “No tears for me.” He presses his forehead against mine. “I’ll see you soon, okay?”
I nod, fighting back the tears. One week wasn’t nearly enough to compensate for the time spent apart, and the thought of being away from him for even a day makes me want to kick and scream.
“In the meantime,“–he kisses me soft and slow, savoring the moment-“go knock ‘em dead.”
I smile. “I love you.”
“And I love you.”
I step back and swipe my palm against my wet eyes so I can see everyone clearly.
Less than three months ago, all I had in my life was my little sister and a mountain of responsibilities.
And now, I have my sister, a mother figure–two–a best friend–holy shit, three–and the love of my life. It’s so hard to leave because I have so much I’m leaving behind.
But there’s so much I’m heading towards, too.
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Chapter 202
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Paris. My dream, the one that seemed so unattainable and Impossible that sometimes I was too scared to think of it too much lest I hurt myself.
And now…
“Come on,” Julian whispers, throwing his arm around my shoulder. “Any more tears and TSA’s going to think there’s a problem.”
I laugh, letting my eyes land on them one last time. June. Lou. Penny. Lara. Nathan.
My heart aches, full to the brim with gratitude and grief all at once.
My arm is heavy as 1 lift it to wave. “Bye, you guys. See you soon.”
Penny hugs June to her side as my little sister cries unabashedly, and I have to cling tight to Julian to keep from going back to her.
By the time I settle in my seat 2A, the tears have dried, and the sadness is replaced with an anticipation that has me slightly bouncing in my seat.
“You good?” Julian asks.
I nod. “Yeah.” I squeeze his hand. “I’m glad you’re doing this with me.”
He squeezes back. “Me, too.”
A look passes between us–understanding.
We haven’t talked about the moment in his car last week, and there are times I think I imagined it. But sometimes, you don’t have to talk to resolve things, and I know we’re good.
“Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of United Airlines and our Star Alliance partners, welcome aboard…”
“Ready for your bright future in the Paris scene?” Julian asks as the pre–departure announcements are made.
I laugh softly, remembering a time when this was a ridiculous pipe dream.
I exhale. “Yeah, I am.”
Ready to take a step into the unknown and trust that I won’t fall.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
