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SAOIRSE
It feels a little strange to be wrapping up my time in California, but it also feels good. I know I’m making the right decision going home to Boston. It’s where I belong and running away from my problems was never going to solve them.
Really, running away from Conor was never going to mend my broken heart.
Buthehas. He’s stitched me back together by giving me everything I’ve ever wanted—his love, his devotion, his loyalty. He’s the man I dreamed of since I knew what it meant to want to be with another person.
He’s the other half of me and I couldn’t be happier than I am right now.
I know we’ll have to figure out some things along the way, but isn’t that what life is all about? I’m looking forward to navigating our lives together.
I smile at Isla across the table from me as she pouts. I called her a few days before New Year’s Eve, which was another amazing first holiday with my man, to let her know I would be traveling back to school early so I could collect my things.
I wasn’t going to let her walk into our shared room to find all my stuff gone without an explanation. As soon as I told her my plans, she insisted on meeting me for coffee while I was here. I couldn’t exactly say no. Knowing her, she’d show up in Boston with an axe to grind with me.
“I’m going to miss you,” her voice is a little watery, as is the smile she gives me. She looks at Conor and threatens him, “You better take care of my friend.”
“Always,” he promises and looks at me with so much love in his eyes that it makes my heart clench.
“I guess now I know why you were always a little,” she pauses like she’s searching for the right word, “reserved?”
I laugh and smile at my friend. “I knew what I was leaving behind, but I’m not sorry I left home to go to school. It’s what I needed to show me I’ve always known where home is. I was just trying to run instead of facing what I needed to face.”
“I’m going to miss you,” she sniffles as her voice wobbles.
“You already said that,” I tease her, trying to get her to smile.
“Well, I mean it,” she huffs, and I can’t help but chuckle.
I stand up and head around the table, but she meets me halfway and gives me a fierce hug.
“I’m going to miss you too,” I whisper. “This doesn’t have to be goodbye for good. You’re always welcome to visit me in Boston and we’ll keep in touch.”
“Miles is going to be so disappointed,” she whisper-shouts, but it’s not soft enough considering the growl Conor lets out.
I giggle and shake my head in admonishment at my friend. “I got really lucky to have you as my roommate.”
“I know,” she sasses me as we smile at each other. “I think I’ll take you up on your offer to visit. Maybe for spring break.”
“Anytime,” I tell her honestly.
Isla is the first female friend I made in so damn long who I knew had no ulterior motives. I heard so many horror stories when it comes to the roommate lottery, but we clicked instantly. Even as I held part of myself back. She never let it get to her and just kept battering against the walls I built around myself.
She gives me another hug and a pointed look, one which promises consequences if we lose touch. “I’ll talk to you soon. Travel safely home.”
“Promise.”
She winks at me and waves at Conor before leaving the café where we met up. Conor takes my hand, our fingers lacing together, and we follow just a few moments after her.
“She seems nice,” Conor muses.
“She is,” I admit and look up at him to find worry creasing his face. “I don’t regret the decision I made to go home. I made it early and easily. It’s the right thing for me. I did get lucky meeting Isla, but I have so much more waiting for me in Boston.”
Conor grins at me and stops me next to our rental car. I didn’t bring a whole lot with me when I came to school, but what I have is packed into the backseat and waiting to be loaded into the private plane Declan chartered for us tomorrow.
This trip has been fun, but I think it’s mostly because I’m spending it with the man I love. I don’t regret deciding I don’t belong here. For me, this place is the epitome of ‘nice place to visit but wouldn’t want to live here’.
I’m ready to go home and start my life, the one I was always meant to live.
