Page 52 of Pining for You

“Very functional.” Izaac nods. “Which is what matters.”

“And we’re reunited! Which matters most of all,” Cash says, looking like he’s trying to convince himself, too.

“Save the sentimental stuff for Bennie’s doc,” Izaac says. “For now, let’s just make sure we don’t lose anyone again.”

“Especially not our main character before we even find the girl!” Audra adds.

“Audra, are you sure you don’t want to stay here?” Diya says. “You’re basically home already, and the weather is going to get bad…”

I see and appreciate Diya’s point, but if she were closer, I’d give her a tiny, def-not-painful kick to get her to can it. I haven’t given up on getting Audra to come back with us later.

Thankfully, Audra shakes her head. “And miss the fireworks? I’m fully here to bear witness to Bennie Bosley’s grandest gesture yet.”

Cash claps his hands as Audra throws her arm around me. But even as I ride the relief of being reunited, my throat goes dry, and the doubts I felt lost in the labyrinth rush back in.

Because now I remember—the success of this mission relies on me.

15

I have to say, I’m very ready to leave the market, and Williamsburg altogether, but more than anything right now, I’m so ready to see some snow.

Sure, snow can be inconvenient and set some people off, but it’s always comforted me. It’s synonymous with peace—peace I don’t often have in my own brain.

Of course, I don’t say that out loud, because I’m aware it has the potential to throw a subway car–sized wrench in our plans, but we’ve only had a few flurries back home so far this year and I love it so much. I’m also eager to get it on film. If I frame it just right as we step out the door, it could be an amazing opening shot for my film.

What we find when we emerge, however, is hardly what I’d call snow. It’s thin, wet, and barely a whisper above a misty, freezing rain. It’s just enough to be a nuisance and has zero cinematic quality.

I frown and stash the camera in my pocket. If it isn’t for a great shot, there’s no point in risking that it might get wet and ruined. My mom would be heartbroken, and I can’t lose the footage I’ve managed to get.

“All right, this way,” Audra says, leading us to the subway.

Audra has been my personal escort since we left the market, and she and I are a few strides ahead of everyone.

“It’s so good to see you, B!”

Being beside her feels like a huge, warm hug after that whole debacle.

She smells like eucalyptus. Maybe she freshened up when she and Izaac went back to her place. Not that the bar didn’t have its own delightful fragrance, but the eau de beer and wings hits different than this.

“What am I missing back in the two-oh-three these days?”

“Oh, ya know, the usual stuff,” I say. “School, the farm…”

“Cute girls falling from the suburban sky…,” she says in a singsong, making a sweeping gesture toward the clouds above us.

“Right.” I try to stifle my satisfied grin. “That, too.”

“Actually, it kind of feels like divine intervention that you fell out of my sky today,” she continues. “I could use your expertise.”

“Oh?” I perk up. I don’t feel especially expert on anything right now, but I’m intrigued.

“Well, I’ve been really struggling to come up with a gift for Izaac. As you now know, we haven’t been as in touch as I’d have liked this year… which made it hard to know what he’d be into. So, being in the presence of a certified gifting master makes this pretty much my lucky day.”

I’m honored and flattered, but feel like a fraud. I don’t even have any good ideas myself for Izaac this year—not something I want to admit.

Then again, there is something Audra can give him that I can’t. This could be the chance I’ve been waiting for…

“Hm, have you considered the gift of your presence?” I say, my voice low so Izaac won’t hear. “Maybe you could come back with us and be home for Christmas?”