Callie:There aren’t any pelican constellations.
Noah:Not with that attitude.
Another photo. Equally fuzzy, with a similar circle drawn around a different cluster.
Noah:What about this one? I think it’s a giraffe.
Another photo. This time, there was a hint of something in the lower corner that she couldn’t quite make out, but it looked awfully familiar.
Noah:Okay maybe the last one wasn’t a giraffe, but this is clearly a castle.
Callie:Where are you?
Awareness prickled at the back of her neck, that pesky hope sending tingles down her spine.No. He can’t be.
Noah:Look up.
Callie looked up as the image on the ceiling began to change. Slowly, glowing lines began to connect the stars into pictures, like some kind of giant connect-the-dot puzzle. First, a castle with turrets and streaming banners. Then a teddy bear and a pelican. Next, a rose, a suspension bridge, an elephant. Finally, a snowman and a ladybug. All around her, people had grown quiet as they watched the changing shapes on the ceiling.
She clasped her hand over her mouth as she took in each of the fake constellations.
“I think that one’s supposed to be a piano.”
She jumped at the sound of his voice at her ear, whirling around to find him so close they were practically touching. A sob escaped her lips and she flung herself into his arms. He wrapped himself around her, pressing one hand to the back of her head and his lips to her temple.
“How are you here?” She nuzzled into his neck, struggling to believe he was really there. “How did you do all this?”
“I called in reinforcements.” When she gave him a questioning look, he said, “Liv has some lighting designer friends.”
She was surprised to know her best friend had been able to keep the surprise a secret, but she was so glad she had.
“You’re supposed to be in New Hampshire,” she said, running her hands over his chest.
“I’m supposed to be here. With you.”
She pulled away to meet his eyes, worry beginning to pull at her. He ran his thumb over the crease between her brows. “I figured it out.”
“Noah, you can’t walk away from the film.” She shook her head, the cold dread of having to let him go sinking through her bones all over again. How was she supposed to let him go again?
“I’m not,” he said.
“I don’t understand.”
“I talked with the senator. She’s agreed to let me work on the score remotely, as long as I join the campaign for two days each month.”
It was too much to hope for. “What about Wolf? I thought—”
“The senator outranks Wolf. I’m sure he’s not too happy with me for going around him.” He cradled her face in his hands and looked at her with such tenderness she thought she might cry. “But you are the most important thing in my life, Calico.”
He pressed his forehead to hers. Her fingers dug into his back and she squeezed her eyes shut, her breath shuddering.
“What is it, love?” he asked, his nose sliding against hers.
“I’m just so scared, Noah,” she whispered.
“Of what?”
“What if you change your mind?”
