Page 106 of Easy Reunion

“Like what?” I try to keep them at bay, but the stinging tears are like little pins behind my closed lids.

“That knowing we’re wasting precious time in a lifetime that’s been cut too short already. Every time I hear your voice, it reminds me I want nothing more than to have you by my side. I love you, Kelsey.”

The stinging has resulted in salty liquid sliding down my cheeks at a hot, furious pace. So, I’m not surprised when my breath hitches when I whisper, “I love you too.”

“Thank you for being patient with me.”

“Always.”

And before I can say another word, Ry’s hung up the phone. Slowly, I pull mine from my ear before turning to Lisa, who’s unabashedly listening in. “I have a favor to ask.”

“Anything.”

“Think you’d mind cleaning up the kitchen on your own? I have to call and book a flight before I pack a bag to get to Ry.”

Lisa comes around the counter to wrap her arms around me. “That’s not a favor; that’s my honor.”

And suddenly all I can think about as I race down the hall to Ry’s—no, our room—is that I need to get to him as soon as possible. In reality, I should have been there weeks ago, but I thought he needed the time to get through this on his own. After quickly booking a flight on my phone and calling out the details to Lisa, I grab one of the suitcases I recently unpacked and begin to throw clothes back into it. I realize it’s likely because of our past that Ry didn’t ask me to come with him to begin with.

So, either way, we’ve both been idiots, because the things that happened in our pasts are simply the tools we needed to make us stronger, more patient, and courageous in the face of our future.

Together.

I call out to Lisa, “Do you have time to drive me, or should I call a car?”

A tall figure appears in the doorway, startling me. “Is that all you’re bringing?” Cade asks.

“No,” I tell him tartly. “I need to get another bag and my computer.”

“Right. I’ll just put this one in the car. Lisa’s…”

“Right here. I just got off the phone with my dad. He had to know you were coming so he could call the gate to let your cab in,” Lisa tells me apologetically.

I nod distractedly as I toss shoes into a weekender.

“Dad said to pack a dress, Kels. You can’t get into the club for dinner without one.”

“You pick.” I straighten from the floor of the closet. “I need to get my laptop.”

“Right,” she agrees. “I’ll finish in here.”

“You’ve got—” Cade checks his watch. “We only have a few minutes before we have to leave if you want to make that flight,” he warns.

Right. Without any warning, I dash out of the room, leaving Lisa to finish throwing anything that resembles clothes in my bag. The laptop is a priority; anything else can be purchased.

The most important thing is to get to Ry.