Page 153 of A Temporary Forever

Merde. I turn around, and my legs that were barely moving now stride with a sense of purpose. The decision brings a rush of clarity that cuts through the fog of my fear and exhaustion.

What was I thinking?

Obviously I wasn’t. I can’t just disappear, leaving him to deal with the fallout.

He deserves better than that.

And I deserve to fight for what we have, not just give up at the first sign of trouble.

I dunk the boarding pass into a garbage bin and practically run toward the exit. The noise of the airport fades away, replaced by the pounding of my heart in my ears.

I need to get back to Caleb, to face this together, to tell him I’m not giving up on us. I need to get to the ICE offices on time.

As I exit the terminal, the humidmorning air hits me, a stark contrast to the dry coldness inside. My hair sticks to my forehead, and my dress clings to my sweaty skin, but I don’t let that distract me.

It takes an ungodly length of time to finally get my turn in the taxi queue, but as I’m riding toward Manhattan, I feel lighter.

I make it to the ICE office fifteen minutes before my appointment. This time around, I don’t allow myself to worry as I haul my luggage to the second floor.

I just need to see him. To tell him everything will be okay. It will be. No more running. No more hiding. No more faking.

Ever.

Dominic is leaning against the bleak wall of the hallway, looking like his usual confident and cocky self. “Here you are.”

He frowns and takes my suitcase, looking over my shoulder. I peek down the hallway. Caleb isn’t here.

My heart skips a beat. He must be with Mia still. My lungs constrict, making breathing really hard. Suddenly, the environment comes into focus, and gives birth to my panic. Sweat trickles down my spine as I realize I have to do this alone.

Well, not alone. With Dominic this time, but that only boosts the anxiety, because embarrassing myselfin front of Martinez isn’t novel anymore, but in front of Dom? Jesus.

“Where’s Caleb?” we both ask at the same time.

Oh, he probably doesn’t know about Reese being in the hospital. “He must be with Mia.”

Dom frowns. “He went to fetch you at the airport.”

“What?”

I fumble for my phone in my bag. I turned it off this morning.

It takes an unreasonable amount of time for the screen to light up, buzzing with notifications of about fifty missed calls from Caleb. Shit.

With shaking fingers, I dial his number, my heart pounding against my ribcage.

I don’t register the ringtone before his voice comes through. “Celeste.”

No one has ever said my name with such an agonizing mixture of love, pain and relief.

“I’m at the ICE office.”

“Thank fuck. Is Dom with you?”

“Yes.”

“I won’t be there on time, but I’ll hurry. Are you okay?”

His voice washes through me like the first warm rays after a storm. “I think so.”

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