AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 51
Leighton
It’s afternoon when I wake. Even with the breeze blowing between my windows, my apartment is hot.
But the heat isn’t irritating. The familiarity of it is comforting. This place is home. Its quirks and flaws are home too.
A glass of ice water cools me down. As does shedding my pajamas.
It’s way too hot for a run, but I need to clear my mind too badly to care.
I change into my workout gear, lace up my sneakers, fill my reusable water with a mix of ice and water.
Then I slide my keys into the hidden pocket in my shorts, step outside, and take off.
The sun beats down on my chest and shoulders, but it feels good. Warming, not oppressive.
A breeze blows over my arms.
The air cools as I pass Eleventh.
But the view of the ocean crashing into the sand doesn’t offer the clarity it usually does. It sends my thoughts back to Maui. To climbing into Ryan’s lap and kissing him and knowing I loved him more than anything.
Maybe even enough to wait for him.
I try to push my thoughts away as I hit Ocean, turn, run back toward my apartment.
Slowly, the dust in my brain settles.
Things come into focus.
But there’s no time to make sense of them.
Ryan is sitting on my stoop. Staring at me like I’m an angel sent from heaven.
Like I’m the only thing he’s ever wanted.
Chapter 52
Leighton
My pulse pounds in my ear.
My heartbeat is the only thing I can hear. It’s loud, fast, steady.
He’s here.
He’s not at the wedding.
He’s not in Hawaii.
He’s here.
“Hey.” He rises to his feet.
“Hey.” The words stumble on my tongue. My stomach flutters. My limbs get light.
Ryan is here.
