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I smiled. “If you don’t, I will.”
“Ah, trying to get rid of me so soon,” she joked, scrolling on her phone.
But before she had a chance to clickAccept, I scooped her into my arms and kissed her harder than I ever had before, knowing things might never be the same.
Chapter Twenty-One
Emily
The weeks between accepting the invitation and today zipped by so fast that I still couldn’t fathom that I was actually leaving today.
But as I stood at the airport with my entire family staring at me and my boyfriend, holding my hand tighter than usual, I knew there was no turning back.
Today was the day that I’d be listening to my heart again, but this time, I didn’t know where it would lead or why I needed to listen.
My mom smoothed her hand over my hair and smiled, tears brimming her lids. “I know it’s crazy and it’s only three months and you’re a grown woman…” She sniffled. “But I’m going to miss your glowing face at the store.”
I chuckled, pushing down the lump in my throat. “You’re just missing the cheap labor.”
My mom chuckled and leaned in to plant a kiss on mycheek, followed by my dad and all my siblings. They all traded glances, gave me one last goodbye, and left Lucas and me alone to say our own farewell.
“I’m going to miss you so much, Emily.” Lucas’s gaze locked on mine. I saw the familiar intensity capture my heart as he stepped closer, cupping my face with his hands. His eyes fell to my lips before tearing his gaze away. He dropped his arms and glanced out the window to the terminal parking. “This is hard.”
“It’s not like it’s our last kiss together,” I said, feeling my chest tighten. Was he having a change of heart? Did he want to break things off to make it easier?
“What’s wrong?” he asked tenderly, his thumb gliding along my jaw.
“Just crazy thoughts.”
“Let me in. Tell me about those crazy thoughts.”
I bit my bottom lip and took a deep breath. “Do you want to break things off until I get back?”
Pain darted through his eyes as his gaze darkened. “Why would you ask that?”
“I just…” My voice broke off. “If something happens, I don’t…”
“The only woman I want is you, Emily. Don’t let your fears misguide you, but I promise you that I’ll be honest with you. Always.”
I nodded.
“You’re woven into me. I can’t escape you, Emily.” His words swallowed me whole as his hand cradled my cheek. “I won’t let you down. Our future is too important.”
“I love you, Lucas.”
His eyes stayed locked on mine. “I love you too, Emily Evans. Remember, this isn’t just for you. This is for us. Because I don’t ever want you to regret a moment with me.”
I gasped at the beauty of his words. “You’re the poet, Lucas.”
He shook his head and brought his lips down to mine.
It was as if the rest of the bustling terminal drifted away into nothingness.
His warm breath skated across my lips, and I knew that every single day away from this man was going to be excruciating, but he was right.
Mimi was right. I needed to do this.
I took a step back, feeling the tingle on my lips as I shook my head. “I’m going to miss you like crazy, Lucas.”
