Page 176 of Fly's Path

“Would you mind covering for me? I just have fifteen minutes left.”

“Sure. No problem. But let me get a picture of you in that fabulous coat.”

The coat feels more like a trap than a gift…

Which is the silliest thought I’ve ever had in my life.

Fly isn’t trying to trap me. He’s trying to love me.

Which is even more terrifying.

What happens when he stops?

I can’t do this. I can’t play this. It’s already going to hurt walking away now…if he walks away in a month or six months, I’m going to lose my mind. Time to hide.

***

Hiding from Fly hasn’t been hard for the last two days. It’s been busy…more than busy. We’ve been running around keeping everything flowing for a weekend-long party on steroids.

The problem with parties is that they trickle to an end. It’s Sunday night, and there’s no food left to set up. No tables to arrange. No people to help. Nothing to do to avoid the man who is walking straight over to me with a self-satisfied grin on his face.

The urge to run to protect my heart from further pain flows through me, but I stand still, waiting for him. This might be the last time we talk. The last time I feel his arms around me. The last time I kiss him. There’s no way I’m missing a second of it.

As soon as he gets within arm’s length, I pull him in close and plant my lips on his. Every bit of longing and hope, every dream I ever had for the future, every ounce of love in me, I pour into this kiss, never wanting it to end, but knowing this is the beginning of the end for us.

A long time later, he pulls back, keeping me firmly in his arms. “I’ve missed doing that all weekend. They’ve been keeping you far too busy.”

I’ve been hiding from you too well. “My brain could use a rest. Would you hold me in your arms while we listen to music for the rest of the evening?”

“Your wish is my command. I’ve got the perfect spot for us.”

Fly prepared for this with a blanket and pillows set up against a tree, near enough to the music that we can hear it, but far enough away that we aren’t in the middle of the action.

It’s the perfect spot to just be together for the very last time…

***

Walking into Dahlia’s house after a busy weekend like we have had, I should be a good guest and leave them in peace to sleep.

“Maverick, may I please speak to you for a moment?”

Dahlia raises an eyebrow, but says, “I’ll go get ready for bed.”

We wait for the sound of her footsteps to disappear.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Everything. “I was just wondering if you could arrange for my flight home early tomorrow morning? Like very early…five or six o’clock.”

“That isn’t a problem. I’ll have the jet ready at five and a car here to pick you up at four. But before that, I need to know, did someone hurt you?”

Tears fill my eyes, and I collapse against him, sobbing.

“It’s okay. Whatever happened, we can deal with it. Don’t cry. Please don’t cry. Just give me his name, and I’ll kill him for you. Please don’t cry.” He thumps a hand awkwardly on my back. “Why don’t you let me get Dahlia? You two can have a good cry together. Then you can tell me or her the name and your problem will disappear forever.”

“I love him. It hurts so bad because I love him.”

“What’s wrong? I hear crying.” Dahlia shouts down the stairs.