Page 87 of My December Darling

There isn’t a single doubt in my mind that I could fall in love with this girl. In fact, I hope I do.

Just like I hope she can love me back.

26

CATALINA

My two suitcases drag behind me like a lead block as I make my way through the Los Angeles airport. Despite being excited to see Monica, there is a heaviness in my limbs that I’m unaccustomed to, and there is a dull throb building behind my temples when I think about starting my new job tomorrow. The position might be temporary, but the growing ache in my chest feels like it is only beginning.

I do my best to push my oppressive thoughts aside once I step outside. Monica’s blond hair and bright athletic set makes her easy to spot, and I rush over to her. She pulls me into her open arms, and thankfully, some of the tension in my body bleeds away.

“I’m so excited that you’re here!” She opens her trunk and helps me place my luggage inside.

“Me too.” I try my best to sound excited, but the statement seems to be lacking based on the way she looks at me.

“Missing Luke already?”

“No,” I say unconvincingly.

Yes, I miss him, but admitting it aloud to Monica is nearly as hard as coming to terms with it myself. It seems silly to miss someone I have only just started to get to know, but then again, he made sure I saw him almost every day over the last two weeks. His efforts to make me crave his company appeared to have worked a little too well, and now I’m left wondering how the hell I’m going to make it through three months away from him.

Assuming you find a job near Lake Wisteria in twelve weeks.

My stomach clenches as worry worms its way into my heart.

“I think I know just the thing to cheer you up.” Monica’s chipper voice draws me out of my head.

“What?”

“Burgers and the beach!”

“How’s the apartment?” Luke asks.

“Good.” I readjust the volume on my earbuds so I can hear him better while I mill about, organizing my sparse number of items into their rightful place.

“Is it as nice as you remember?”

I look around the sublease. There is a peekaboo view of the ocean, which makes up for the older furnishings and outdated kitchen and bathroom. I was shocked to see that the same studio apartment I rented years prior was available again, and while it hasn’t changed much since my last stay, I can’t say the same about myself.

“It’s a little more run-down.”

“At least the view is nice?”

I stare out the window. “Yeah.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing it.”

His comment perks me up a bit. “When do you think you’ll visit?”

He chuckles to himself. “I need to coordinate with the hospital and Aiden, but I’m hoping by the end of the month.”

My happiness fades. “Oh.”

“Disappointed it’s not sooner?”

Yes, but I’m not about to admit that aloud. “I’m going to be so busy these next few weeks, so it’s probably for the best.”

Right. You keep telling yourself that and maybe you’ll finally start believing it.

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