Page 95 of Fire

As if on cue, the first notes of Lonestar’sAmazedfilled the air.

Pulling her into his arms, they danced to the song, his strong embrace holding her close while the lyrics filled her head and tears fell down her cheeks.

Blake may be amazed by her, but she was astounded by him.

Gwen became more agitated and antsy as her time to leave grew closer. She knew part of it was nerves at starting a new, unknown venture, but most of it was anxiety over leaving Blake. She couldn’t get the conversation with Allie out of her head. She’d even went so far as looking up statistics on the survival rate of long-distance relationships—bad idea.

Of course, Blake noticed her anxiety. But every time he asked if something was wrong, she’d brush it off, telling him she was stressed over last-minute stuff and worried she was forgetting to do something.

It was bullshit, and he knew it, but he never called her out on it.

In fact, preparations were going pretty smoothly. Her passport had been applied for, an appointment to her doctor—for proper vaccinations—had been made, and because Allie was keeping their apartment, she didn’t have to worry about small things like stopping her mail or paying the bills.

So, if she could just get out of her own head, things would be peachy.

Her last day at Coleman’s, Sheila threw her a going away party. The break room looked like a party supply store had a baby with a bakery. There were streamers, banners, balloons, and enough confetti to clog a vacuum cleaner. A large sheet cake decorated with a ship and bon voyage written in cursive sat in the center of the table. Gwen didn’t have the heart to tell them she’d be traveling by air not sea.

Jason sidled up to her, a sheepish look on his face and two paper cups filled with punch in his hands. He handed one to her and raised his. “To new beginnings.”

She tapped her cup with his and took a small sip—too much and she’d be riding a sugar high for a week.

“Sorry I’ve been such a dick these last few weeks.”

She shook her head. “It was my fault our date was crappy.”

“Yeah, but I pushed you into it in the first place. I know you didn’t want to go, but I’ve had a crush on you for so long…” His face turned red. “Anyway, I really do wish you the best.”

“Thanks, Jason, that means a lot.” She glanced across the room and saw Emily watching them. Emily turned her head away quickly when she caught Gwen’s eye, looking embarrassed at getting caught staring. “You know, I think if you asked Emily out, she’d say yes.”

Jason looked to where Emily was standing. “Yeah?”

Gwen nodded. “You should go talk to her.”

Jason downed the last of his punch and set the empty cup on the table. “I think I will. Wish me luck.”

“You don’t need it,” Gwen said with a smile.

He sauntered off with a grin on his face, and she watched the two interact. Emily laughed at something Jason said then she nodded.

“They make a cute couple.” Sheila materialized at Gwen’s side.

Gwen nodded. “They do.”

“I’m going to miss you, you know. You’ve been more than just a good employee, you’ve been a good friend, too.”

Gwen set her cup down, blinking fast. “I told myself I wouldn’t cry.”

Sheila put an arm around her waist and pulled her to her side. “To quote Dr. Seuss, ‘Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.’”

So Gwen chose to smile.

Rain pelted against the windshield then slid like rivulets down the glass. A mirror image of the tears that had been falling down Gwen’s cheeks the whole drive to the airport. Mother Nature, it appeared, had a wicked sense of humor.

The night before had been bittersweet. She and Blake had opted to stay in, just the two of them—dinner, slow dancing, and making love until midnight. If she could freeze time, she’d have that night last forever.

“You’ll only be gone three weeks.” Blake had been saying that a lot the past few days, trying to soothe her overwrought emotions.

“I know.” She looked for a dry spot on the tissue to blow her nose. She was a mess.

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