Page 19

Iris presses a mug of coffee into my hands, extra cream and sugar the way I like it. The normalcy of the gesture makes me want to cry again.

“You know what I think?” she says, settling cross-legged on the floor in front of me. “I think you’re scared.”

“Of course, I’m scared. I’m about to commit my life to a man I don’t love.”

“No, not of that. You’re scared of Reign. Of how he made you feel.”

I start to protest, but she holds up a hand.

“You’ve spent your whole life doing what’s expected, never rocking the boat. And then this mountain man shows up andmakes you feel wild and free and like you could be anyone you wanted to be. That’s terrifying when you’ve never been allowed to want things for yourself.”

Her words hit too close to home. I take a shaky sip of coffee, trying to find my equilibrium.

“It doesn’t matter what I want,” I say finally. “Some of us don’t get fairy tale endings.”

“Bullshit,” Iris says flatly. “You’re choosing not to fight for yours.”

The coffee turns to acid in my stomach.

“I need to pack,” I say again, standing abruptly. “I can’t miss this flight.”

Violet and Iris exchange a look, but they don’t argue. They help me gather my things and pack my suitcase. Through it all, I feel like I’m moving underwater, going through the motions of leaving while part of me is still upstairs in that hotel room, wrapped in Reign’s arms.

The ride to the airport is quiet. My friends flank me in the backseat, offering silent support. It’s not until we’re standing at the security checkpoint that the reality of leaving hits me fully.

“This is it,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

“No,” Violet says firmly. “This is just goodbye for now. You always have a place here if you need it. Always.”

Iris hugs me so tight I can barely breathe.

“Call us the second you land. And if that caveman fiancé of yours gives you any trouble, we’re one phone call away.”

“I will.”

After one more round of hugs and promises to stay in touch, I walk through security on shaking legs.

The gate area is crowded with other passengers heading to various destinations. I find a seat near the window and stare out at the planes on the tarmac, trying not to think about Reignwaking up to an empty bed. Trying not to wonder if he’s looking for me, if he’s hurt or angry or relieved.

Trying not to wish I’d been brave enough to wake him up and tell him the truth.

When they call for boarding, I stand in line with everyone else, my boarding pass clutched in my trembling hand. Each step toward the plane feels like I’m walking away from the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

As the plane taxis down the runway and lifts into the clear San Diego sky, I press my face to the small window and watch the city shrink below me. Somewhere down there, Reign is probably having breakfast, maybe wondering why I left. Maybe already forgetting about the girl who shared his bed for one perfect night.

The thought makes my chest ache with a pain so sharp I have to bite my lip to keep from crying again.

As we climb higher, heading toward the mountains and the life waiting for me in Cooper Heights, I close my eyes and let myself remember. The weight of his hands on my skin. The way he said my name. The feeling of being completely, utterly myself for the first time in my life.

Whatever happens next, I’ll always have that. One perfect night when I was brave enough to take what I wanted, even if I wasn’t brave enough to keep it.

FIVE

REIGN

I wake up with a jolt.Instantly, my arm shoots out as I reach for the empty space in the bed beside me. The sheets are cold like always. My head falls back against the pillow, and I groan.

It’s been exactly two weeks since San Diego.