Page 120 of The Life-Changing Magic of Falling in Love

‘Only to allay fear,’ I admit.

‘So, we’re both liars.’

‘I like to think of it more as being considerately protective.’ And then before I can stop myself, I’m doing the very opposite of lying and admitting, ‘I’ll miss you when you go back.’

‘It’s not for a while yet and I’ll only be gone for a few days.’

‘Sure.’

‘I’m not staying there. I’m coming back.’

‘Right.’ It’s great that he’s so sure but when Sarah died, I learned that none of us can say anything with absolute certainty.

What if I trusted the intention though?

‘If I didn’t come back,’ he then says, ruining my foray into positive “what ifs,” ‘do you think we’d keep in touch?’

‘Keep in touch so you can lie to me and always tell me you’re okay?’

‘Would you lie straight back to me?’

‘Going to plead the fifth on that one.’ Because I definitely don’t need to lay it out that I’d miss him again.

‘Are we still going to do the cheesy sightseeing thing?’

‘Absolutely. I was thinking we could start with Top of the Rock, Rockefeller Plaza.’

‘Hmm. Less cheesy, more really high up.’

‘It’ll be great. Plus, for a: five letters: portion of extra cheese and because of your Saturday Night Fever tribute I’ll take you to Lenny’s Pizza first. Or maybe if you’re leary of heights, afterwards.’

‘Five letters: Portion of extra… Slice? Good one. I’ll consider myself in safe hands and leave the full itinerary up to you.’

‘I have the wedding this weekend, but I can do after that.’

‘Zach won’t mind?’

I don’t want to tell him Zach sees his mother on the weekend and potentially get laughed at or looked at like I’m gullible or deluded or to be pitied in any way, so I go with, ‘No. We’re very casual.’

‘Casual because you only want someone to hang out with at weekends or because he keeps it deliberately that way?’

Chapter Thirty-Six

I’LL LOVE YOU TO THE WEDDING AND BACK!

Ashleigh

Life is all fun and games until you’re standing outside the hospital in your bunny costume and your date’s a no-show.

Where is Zach?

I can’t believe I was optimistic enough to think that just because he didn’t turn up to support me during the read-a-thon, he’d at least be here by the time we were supposed to leave for Jasmine’s wedding.

I stare down at my phone.

No missed calls from him.

No messages.

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