Page 106 of The Followers

Someone paused in front of her. Probably trying to get her to move her bag so they could sit. She kept her eyes focused on her phone.

“Where’re you headed?”

She knew that voice. Liv’s head snapped up.

Jeremiah. Here, in the airport terminal. Jeremiah with messy brown hair and a golden-red scruffy beard. But no smile. No laughter creases around his eyes.

“What are you doing here?” Liv asked, stunned.

“I thought I might go to Hawaii for a while.”

She choked on a laugh. “You have got to be kidding me.”

He shook his head, his face serious, an apology in his eyes.

Her own eyes started to sting. “Why?”

He picked up her carry-on and swung it onto the floor, then sat next to her.

“Have you ever met someone, and things just felt right? From the very beginning, this person felt right. But then you mess everything up. You make all the wrong decisions, you say all the wrong things. You’re pretty sure it’s over.” He hesitated. “But just because the relationship started out wrong doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with the relationship itself.”

She stared at him, unable to comprehend. “Do you have anywhere to stay in Honolulu?”

“Well,” he said, one corner of his mouth curving up. “I hope so.”

He took her hand, threading their fingers together. Liv stared at him, absorbing the feeling of his palm against hers.

“I’m really confused right now,” she whispered.

Jeremiah exhaled. “I’ve been confused since the day I met you.”

Something fluttered in her chest. Hope, perhaps. But also fear. Part of her wanted to walk away, because this terrified her. There would have to be conversations. Long conversations requiring vulnerability and discomfort and openness, and she didn’t know if she was ready.

But maybe it would be worth it.

The flight attendant’s voice echoed over the speaker, announcing general boarding. Liv realized everyone else had lined up. She and Jeremiah were the only ones still sitting, heads bent toward each other, hands clasped.

She stood, expecting him to release her hand, but he didn’t. That simple act meant more than anything he had said. He was not letting go of her.

“You’re coming to Hawaii,” she said, unable to grasp it even as her heart lifted and soared.

“That’s right.”

“And then what?”

He squeezed her hand. “That’s up to you.”

Liv carefully, carefully squeezed back. And then she led the way to join the growing crowd of travelers, off on their next adventure.