Page 55 of A New Chapter

“I told you that I don’t mind. Besides, it will give us some more time to spend together before…”

Before reality comes crashing down. “Ok, look, Mr. Persistent. I don’t like airport goodbyes. Ok? That’s the real reason.”

Zack moved across the room in a blur, and then she was pressed tightly against him. Emma blinked her tears away and cursed herself for being a big baby while she clung to him. When they parted, her eyes were still watery, and Zack held on to her forearms to steady her.

“I’m sorry for pushing, Em,” he said.

She flapped her hands around dismissively. “It’s not your fault. I think it stems from my parents leaving all of the time. I just don’t like goodbyes.”

He pulled her in again and ran his hand down the back of her hair in a soothing motion. “I’m not going anywhere,” he said. “I promise.”

Emma breathed him in and let herself relax in his strong comforting embrace. This time, when they pulled apart, she offered him a shaky smile.

“I think we just had our first argument, and I’m glad to see that you did the right thing by letting me win!” With that, she flounced to the door, calling over her shoulder, “Come on, it’s time to go.”

Zack rolled his eyes, grabbed both of their bags, and followed her out the door. There was no make-out session in the elevator this time because it was full of passengers. They did get to stand smashed together, however, and Emma soaked up his closeness before they were deposited on the lobby floor. The airport shuttle waited in the pick-up area outside of the lobby doors, but Zack stopped her with a hand on her arm.

He kissed her firmly and said, “That was not a goodbye kiss. That was an I’ll-see-you-later kiss.”

Emma gave him a full-on smile and started to board the bus, but she turned around at the last second. “See you at home,” she said before the door closed behind her.