Page 40 of The Autumn Leaf Bookshop (Everly Hollow #1)

It's Not Goodbye, It's See You Later

Raene

S itting my suitcase and bags at the bottom of the stairs, I make my way to the kitchen. The scent of bacon fills the air, making my mouth water. Grandma is standing at the stove, plating the sizzling bacon from the cast-iron pan onto a plate with a few paper towels for draining.

"I made eggs, bacon, and toast." She pipes up, setting the plate on the table. "Long drive for you, so we need to make sure you eat."

"Thanks, Grandma," I say, smiling as I pull out my chair and take a seat. "You always make the best scrambled eggs."

"I try." She winks before digging into her plate.

It's quiet. About as silent as it'll be when I leave. The TV is on, faint in the background, and birds are chirping outside the windows.

"Excited to get back home?"

I look up, surprised by the lilt in her voice. I expected her to be sad, frowning, but she's smiling .

"I am, but I'll miss you. I'll miss this place, but I promise I'll come back to visit often."

"You better," she wags a finger at me, her lips curving into a smirk. "I'm going to hold you to it.”

I laugh. "Thanks for everything, Grandma. I'm glad I had the chance to come here and see you and your new home."

She nods her head, reminding me of my promise to visit more often. She even mentions visiting the city next year to see me. I can already imagine relaxing, enjoying lazy beach days, shopping, savoring good food, and watching some of her favorite movies.

Heading out to load the items into my trunk, Grandma follows behind me. I toss my laptop bag and purse into the passenger seat. I turn around to hug her. Her scent fills my nose—roses.

"I love you, Grandma." My voice cracks.

“I love you always, baby.” She wraps her arms around me, placing a warm kiss on my cheek.

“I love you too.”

"Do you really have to go?" Jas asks. Her lower lip wobbles slightly.

Please don't start crying .

If she cries, I'm going to cry.

"I do, but I will come back to visit." She pulls me into a hug, releasing a low sigh, then quickly tugs me back, her hands holding my arms .

"I get it. You have a life, a fantastic one. You're an amazing author with so many more blessings coming your way. Just don't forget about us, yeah?"

"I could never.” I smile brightly because it is the truth. I will never forget this place. The friends I made. The memories I will cherish and play on repeat like a favorite mixtape. She gives my arms one final squeeze before letting go.

"I am going to give you your favorite latte and some treats for the drive.” She heads behind the counter and starts packing up a honeybun and an iced lemon roll before preparing the coffee.

The fact that I can sip my coffee on the long drive and it stays warm makes the thought of four hours on the road feel less painful.

“I appreciate it.”

Oriana closes in on me next, towering over me in her heels. She gives me a deep blue gift bag that feels pretty heavy, an array of tissues in creams and light blues sticking out of the top.

“Candles.” She shrugs, giving a small smile. “To remember us by.”

I nod my head. “If you all keep giving me hugs and gifts, I’m not going to be able to conceal the tears.”

I laugh. Moisture begins to form in the corners of my eyes. I dab my thumb in the corners in hopes of pushing the tears back.

Elora hands me a beautiful bouquet of dried flowers in reds, oranges, natural tones, and greens.

“Thank you, girls. I’m really going to miss the shit out of you. ”

“Same,” Jas says, pouting. “But we will see each other soon. In the meantime, I’m planning a Winter Solstice Gift Exchange! We can invite Ivy, your grandma, Flora, and a few other people I know too!”

“Now that is a season I can get behind!” I smile.

Sylas

“Hi, Ash.” She lifts her hand in a small, hesitant wave, like she’s unsure if she should be here. Like a part of her is already half gone. The shyness in her expression is so cute, but this situation is far from it.

She’s come to say goodbye.

My chest feels heavy, and it aches. The space she has filled is about to be left behind, empty, as she goes back to her life in the city. I’m so fucking proud of her, and everything she has been through has made her who she is today.

“Come here,” I say, as we walk towards one another.

She doesn’t wait to wrap her arms around me, and I pull her into me. Holding her tight, not wanting to let go. I hold her as if she is the best part of me, because she is.

“Raene.” Her name feels raw in my throat. It burns when I swallow. Her smile wobbles as she glances up at me, moisture building in her eyes. I bury my face in her hair, breathing her in, inhaling her scent.

“I’m going to miss this,” I murmured against her temple. My voice is harsh, almost like it’s breaking .

I am breaking.

“You must think I’m crazy.”

She pulls back just enough to look at me. “A little,” she says, laughing.

“I’ll miss you too, Ash.” Her eyes glisten, and for a second, I almost say it.

Stay, don’t go. But I can’t. I promised myself I wouldn’t hold her back.

A low chuff makes her glance down. Nim’s head lowers, his green eyes soften as the brightness dims. He nudges her leg, and Raene laughs a little, pressing both palms to his snout.

“You’re saying goodbye, too, huh?” She whispers to him. He lets out a small chirp.

Me too, bud.

I brush a tear away from her eyes before it can fall. “No labels,” I say softly, reminding myself as much as her.

She nods slightly, lips trembling like she’s trying to hold back something bigger.

“But,” I continue, making sure her eyes are on mine so she can read me loud and clear. “There is no world where I don’t want more time with you. Whatever this is…I’m not finished, do you understand?”

“I understand,” she says, pulling her lower lip between her teeth before crawling into my arms, her mouth seeking mine.

It’s not a kiss of desperation. It’s a kiss that is slow, aching from the inside out because it is full of the words we can’t speak. Everything we can’t say is wrapped up in this kiss .

When she pulls away, I cradle her face. My thumbs brush along her cheeks. I press a gentle kiss on the corner of her lips, another on her cheeks, while her hands gently hold my wrists.

“Hey,” I say softly, resting my forehead against hers. “It’s not goodbye, Raene.” My voice is steady. “It’s see you later.”

“See you later,” she says, smiling, looking at my eyes, then back to my lips.

When she smiles, that smile—By the Seven—it guts me.

“Thank you.” She kisses me deeply. Just one more time. Molding against my chest, as she sinks in and takes a part of me with her. She breaks away, her hand resting on my chest, before giving me a light tap.

One last look, and then she’s walking away, out the door. Nim lowers his head to the ground with a soft rumble and echoes the sound of my very own heart breaking.