Page 93 of Smoke and Glitter

"Send me pictures."

"Of fish?"

"Of Ireland. You can be in one or two if necessary."

Jake smiles. "Demanding."

"You flew through London and disrupted my entire weekend. I'm entitled to proof you made it to the destination."

"You spent most of yesterday making fun of a medieval drinking vessel."

"It deserved it."

He reaches down for the handle of his bag, then leaves it there.

"I'm glad I came."

The words settle between us without making anything awkward.

"So am I."

Jake looks at me for another second before pulling me into a hug. I wrap my arms around him, and this time there's no moment where I have to remember how. When he speaks, his voice is close to my ear.

"You're allowed to have wanted him."

My eyes close. He lets me go before I can decide what to do with that.

"Jake."

"I'm not asking you to do anything about it." He keeps one hand on my arm. "I'm saying wanting him wasn't the mistake."

I look at him. He doesn't elaborate. For once, I'm grateful.

"Go catch your flight."

He picks up his bag. "Call me when you get home."

"You're the one getting on a plane."

"And yet I can worry about two things."

I roll my eyes, but I'm smiling when he turns toward the doors.

"Holloway."

He looks back.

"Try not to fall into a river."

His grin appears slowly. "I'll do my best, Hayes."

I watch until I lose him in the crowd.

Then I go home.

The wind cuts through my coat on the walk from the station, and I start thinking about the orange one I left in Chicago. I had room for it. That's what pisses me off. There was space in the suitcase. I stood in front of the wardrobe before I left and decided not to bring it. I thought I'd be fine without it.

Chapter seventeen