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That’s it, I’m nervous.
He puts the SUV in park, and I quickly climb out and meet him at the back where he pulls my suitcases out and sets them on the sidewalk.
“Thanks for the ride,” I say as he closes the tailgate.
He turns to me with a raised eyebrow. “Did you think I’d let you walk?”
“No.” I laugh and then hold my hand out for his. “Thanks. For everything. It was nice to meet you.”
His eyes narrow as he shakes my hand, and without another word, I take a suitcase in each hand and turn to leave.
“Lexi.”
His voice is hard. Commanding. The way it sometimes gets when he’s extra intense during sex.
I think of it as his dominant voice.
I stop but don’t immediately turn. I need to take a deep breath, and then, when I do face him, I see him waiting with his hands at his sides, his face calm but those green eyes full of emotion.
Without thinking, I hurry back to him and let go of my bags as I wrap my arms around his waist and press my cheek to his chest, hugging him tightly.
His arms encircle me, and he holds me for a long moment, his lips in my hair. The next thing I know, he’s kissing me like his life depends on it.
It’s full of lust, possessiveness. And ultimately, it’s a goodbye kiss.
His knuckles glide down my face one more time, and then he steps away.
“Have a good flight, angel.”
I nod and reach for the bags. “Thanks. Take care.”
I bite my lip, determined not to cry as I turn and walk away, heading into the airport without turning back for one more look.
I’ve already checked in for my flight, so I just have to drop off my luggage, which moves quickly. Security is a bit of a pain in the ass because I have Kane’s vase in my carry-on, and I want to make sure it doesn’t get broken.
But before long, I’m seated in the terminal by my gate, and with twenty minutes until we board, I hang my head in my hands and let myself have a good cry.
I’m going to miss the island.
I’m going to miss Shawn.
And who I am when I’m with him.* * *“Oh my goodness, look at you.” Mom pulls me in for a big hug. “You look wonderful, honey.”
“Thanks. I started running again. I feel good.” I smile brightly, maybe a little too brightly. I’m doing my best to convince myself that I’m completely happy.
And for the most part, I am.
I’ve been home for three days. I’ve been on two runs, I’ve stocked my fridge and kitchen so I can cook for myself, and I downloaded the meditation app.
I’ve even used it a few times.
I like it. Okay, so it put me to sleep once, but it’s relaxing, and that’s the point of it, right?
I heard from Shawn the day I got home. He texted and asked me if I made it back safely, and I replied that I did.
I haven’t heard from him since.
And that makes sense. We’re just coworkers who enjoyed each other when we were together.
Now, it’s time for me to move on, and that starts now.
“I’m glad you were free to have lunch,” I say as Mom buckles her seat belt, and I drive us to our favorite restaurant in the city. “Maybe we can do a little shopping, too.”
“Oh, that would be lovely. I need some new walking shoes.”
“I’m sure we can find you some,” I say. “How are you?”
“I’m just fine. I had a little cold a couple of weeks ago, but it wasn’t so bad. I do have an appointment next week for this little pain I’ve been having in my lower abdomen.”
I frown over at her. “What kind of pain?”
“It’s really more of a cramp. No big deal, but I figured at my age, I should have it checked out.”
“You’re not even sixty, Mom. It’s not like you’re old. You should have anything that’s bothering you checked out.”
“I’m going next week,” she replies. “This is fun. You never want to go out for things like this.”
“I know. But I learned a bit about myself while I was gone.”
“What kind of things did you learn?”
“I’m not agoraphobic. I might be a little shy, but leaving the house isn’t my issue. Being out there, meeting new people, and getting out of my comfort zone showed me that I’m stronger than I thought I was.”
“I could have told you that years ago,” she says. “You just never listened.”
“I think I had to figure it out for myself.”
I park the car, and we gather our handbags and walk into the restaurant, where we’re shown to a table against the windows. Murray’s is a steakhouse, and it’s been our family favorite for as long as I can remember.
