AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Grabbing my suitcase, I spin on my heel with a curt "Bye!" before racing away as fast as possible.
Easton made no promises, so how could I have been so stupid?
I'm a fool. A dumb, sappy woman who wants to believe in love at first sight and bad boys with hearts of gold. Ugh. I'd have a better chance of capturing a flying unicorn with a butterfly net.
I’m ready to get out of this place and as far from Easton as possible, but he was right about one thing. I’ll never forget the night we shared.
* * *
Blinking back tears, I swallow around the lump in my throat. I stare at the attendant, unable to process the news that my luggage took a detour on the wrong conveyor belt and ended up at an airport 3000 miles away.
I felt lousy already, but now I feel even worse.
People walking past are looking at me, and I want to avoid drawing more attention. When my lip begins to tremble, I bite the inside of my cheek to stop blubbering.
The attendant reaches for a bundle of brochures held together by a thick rubber band, pulls a voucher from the pile, and hands it to me.
"Please use this meal voucher to get yourself coffee and a snack at the Cozy Corner café on level two."
"Thank you," I mutter, trying my best to smile. "Can you please point out the car rental place?"
I pre-booked a car for the two-day drive to the Lawton, and no amount of free food will convince me to spend another moment at this airport.
"That way." The attendant points to the neon sign indicating the Thrifty Car check-in desk. It's the one with the extra-long queue.
"Great, thanks." The less I say on the matter, the better. The last thing I need is to speak my mind, lose my shit, and get escorted out by security guards.
Grabbing the extendable handle of the carry-on suitcase, I focus on the clacking sound my shoes make on the linoleum as I stride to Thrifty Car and join the queue. The sooner I can collect my car, the better.
Thankfully, I haven't seen Easton anywhere. Running into him now would be torture. My overly sensitive nervous system could not handle any more rejection. The delays may have worked out for the best.
The line moves quickly, and it isn't long until I am at the front of the queue, offering the attendant my credit card and details.
The woman peers over the rim of her glasses. "You're late."
Exasperated, I throw my hands in the air. "You wouldn't believe the airline—" but the woman cuts me off with a shake of her head.
"Your booking was yesterday."
Suddenly, I see stars in front of my eyes, like a cartoon character smacked me over the head with an oversized rubber mallet.
"No, it can't be."
The woman's eyes flick to the screen. "I'm afraid so. And there is nothing available until next week."
She dismisses me with a curt nod, pursing her lips and nodding to the person behind me to step forward. I grab my bag and step aside, fishing in my pocket for the café voucher.
It's okay. I'll be okay. There is a solution to every problem; besides, the universe has my back.
"Ivy." Easton's dark eyes are full of concern, and his husky voice makes my skin prickle all over.
"Hi again." Scooping strands of hair out of my eyes, I give him a bright smile and wave like he's a long-lost friend.
Oh, man, I could win an Oscar with this smile. That's how good it is.
Easton strides toward me, his confident swagger so incredibly appealing that I want to sink into his embrace and let him take away my pain. I want to touch his face and feel the warmth of his skin against mine. There's a pull inside me that's so strong I can barely stand it.
I want to throw myself at his feet, grip his ankles and let him drag me wherever he is going, but I hope to keep my last shred of dignity intact.
