They cuddled on a large chair near the gate, Grace checking her email, Alix making sure her music was downloaded for the flight.
As the gate agent began to call out boarding announcements, they finally glanced to one another, unable to pretend any longer that this wasn’t happening.
“Well,” Grace said, eyes glossy again, though her smile was steady. “We’re getting good at this.”
“I don’t want to get good at this,” Alix blurted, then added a smile. “But yes. We are.”
Grace cupped her cheek, thumb tracing once under her eye like she could scold the tear back into place before it even considered misbehaving. “New Year’s,” she said.
“It’s just a few days away,” Alix echoed. “I’ll clean the house. Phyllis will pretend to be annoyed.”
“I’ll be charmed,” Grace promised. “Text me when you get to your gate.”
“And when you land,” Alix said. “And when you see the ocean. And when you think of me.”
“And when I think about last night on the plane and accidentally rub up against a stranger.”
“Don’t you dare,” Alix growled playfully.
They kissed one more time, not movie-dramatic, just deep enough to make the boarding call overheard feel like an interruption. Then they stepped apart because life required it.
Grace boarded her plane as Alix stood out of the way, hand wrapped in the strap of her carry-on bag like it could keep her tethered. At the last second, Grace glanced over her shoulder, held up two fingers, then pointed to her own eyes and to Alix, a ridiculous littleI’m watching youthat made Alix laugh through the ache.
And then she was gone, disappearing into the jet bridge. Alix briefly considered buying a ticket to Miami and running after her.
New Year’s. Phyllis making comments from the kitchen. The cheap string lights on the back porch. Grace’s suitcase taking up Alix’s entire bedroom like it belonged there. It lodged in her chest, a bright, hopeful ache she didn’t try to smother.
She turned toward the train that would connect her to Concourse C, walking in a body that felt pleasantly off-kilter, packing her sappiness like contraband. Her phone buzzed as she stepped onto the escalator.
Grace
Already miss you.
Alix
Feels illegal how much I miss you, Gator.
Grace
See you in LA, Wolf.
Alix
Bring Connie’s recipe journal if you dare. Phyllis is going to interrogate you about beans.
Grace
I fear neither Phyllis nor beans.
Alix smiled so hard a man passing her gave her the wary side-eye people reserved for those experiencing emotions in public. She didn’t care. She texted anyway.
Alix
Is it New Year’s yet?
Grace
Have a little patience.
