Page 118 of Falling for You

‘What?’ I manage. ‘Can I not just buy one off you now? I really need to get on that train, I can’t miss it.’

It’s taking everything in me not to grab hold of his lapels and beg.

‘I need to go and tell that woman how I feel about her!’ I cry, hoping the romantic appeal might tug on his heartstrings. Instead, he just rolls his eyes at me.

‘Ticket machine is over there,’ he says again, and before I can think of anything else to say, he turns his back on me and is swallowed into the crowd.

I hear a whistle blowing and stare at the ticket machine. A line of people, at least seven deep, is standing patiently behind it. There is no way I’ll make it. And then I’ll miss her. I’ll miss her for good.

Before I can think about it, I race towards the ticket barrier. I slam my hands against the edges of the barrier and launch myself over the top. In the background, I can hear people shout in alarm but it’s too late, I’m racing through the crowds. People have started to slowly move into the train carriages now and I bang on the windows, scouring each one for her face.

‘Annie?’ I yell. ‘Annie?’

But it’s no use; each window I get to I can’t see her. Andthen the doors shut with a final slam and before I can even breathe, the train pulls away. My heart leaves with it.

She’s gone.

I can’t believe after all that I’ve—

‘Nate?’

I whip round, and there she is. She’s wearing a purple beanie, her dark hair is curly around her face and her eyes are wide. She’s looking at me as if she’s seen a ghost. My heart races as I stare at her, my chest rising and falling heavily.

She’s there, she’s standing right in front of me. I did it. I made it. She’s here.

But now, as I look at her, my mind is blank. I’m frozen to the spot. I don’t know how long we’re staring at each other for, but it’s enough for the train to leave the station.

Eventually, I speak.

‘Stevie told me you’re quitting your business.’

Her face falls. ‘Yeah.’

‘I … I don’t think you should do that.’

She scoffs at me, ‘Nate, I just missed my train and you’re here to give me career advice?’

‘You’re really talented,’ I stumble, feeling my face burn.

Oh God, what am I saying? This isn’t why I came here! Why didn’t I think about what I was going to say?

‘Thanks,’ she says coolly, and I realise with a jolt that I’ve been silent again.

I need to say something or she’s going to leave for good. ‘I’m sorry for how I spoke to you on Saturday.’

She places her suitcase onto the floor and I fight the urge to carry it for her.

‘It’s fine,’ she says. ‘I’m sorry I ran out on you and assumed the worst. I should have known better …’

We drift into silence again, and just when I think I’m about to start chatting about the weather in some desperate attempt to saysomethingto her, Annie explodes.

‘Fuck, Nate! Why are you here?’ she cries. ‘Why can’t you just let me forget you?’

My heart thuds. ‘Is that what you want? To forget me?’

She stares back at me, and I notice her eyes glisten. She turns her back on me, throwing her arm in the air.

‘No!’ she cries, turning around again. ‘Of course that isn’t what I want. But I don’t have a choice, do I? You’re going back to New York.’ I hold my breath. ‘Aren’t you?’ she adds, when I don’t respond.