Page 135 of Gracefully Yours

“Do you want me to come with you?” I’d told her I would. That I’d be by her side. She’d said the same thing to me, too, only minutes before, hadn’t she?

She shook her head. “This is something I need to do on my own. And besides, you have that big project. You can’t leave right now.” Her voice was quiet, withdrawn.

Only she didn’t know what that project was.

That it was all for her.

And I knew that this wasn’t forever, wasn’t a goodbye, but it felt like something fundamental was broken if I just let her go without telling her how I felt. Without making sure she knew how much I loved her.

“But…” I frowned. I didn’t like the way her family treated her. How they belittled her career, the things she’d chosen in this life. “I don’t want you to be alone.”

“No matter how I feel about my mom… That’s my sister. And I love her. And my niece.” Her eyes filled with tears. “If we lose her…”

Because deep down, no matter how badly they treated her, Charlotte would always want one thing. Her family’s love and acceptance.

“I know,” I murmured. As I held her close, I could feel her body trembling. I rubbed her back and ran my fingers through her hair, whispering soothing words into her ear until she finally relaxed. “When do you want to leave?”

She gave me a sad smile. “Can you drive me to the airport? I’m going to go pack a bag and try to get on a last-minute flight.”

I nodded, kissing her forehead. “Yeah. Anything you need, just say the word.” I meant it.

Even if the idea of her being there without me, dealing with this crisis all on her own, broke my heart.

I’d do whatever she needed me to do for her to realize just how much I meant it when I said I was on her team.

“So… I’ll call you?” Charlotte said, her pink Duffel bag slung over one arm and a matching backpack on the other. I’d snuck in a few new books into her bag when she wasn’t looking, hoping that the small surprise would provide some modicum of comfort. It wasn’t enough, but it was all I had.

I nodded. “I’ll be the one waiting by the phone.” It was a bad joke, but I meant it.

She held the one-way ticket in her hand, clutching her phone like it was her lifeline.

“I should go.” She turned to look at the security line.

I pulled her in tight, wrapping my arms around her in a big hug, kissing her forehead.

“Bye.”

She turned around, but I couldn’t let her leave like this. With just a short goodbye. Not for her.

“Charlotte, wait—” I said, and she turned around.

Flung herself into my arms.

Kissed me like there was no tomorrow. Like nothing else mattered. Like we weren’t at the airport in public. Like this wasn’t just a temporary separation.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered against my lips as we pulled apart, my hands still wrapped around her tiny waist, hers around my neck.

“Come back. Come home to me.” It was a hoarse whisper, but it was all I could say. All I could offer.

She nodded, giving me a sad smile as she ran her finger over my wedding band. The one I’d never taken off since we’d said our vows. Because they meant something to me.

Because she meant something to me.

I love you.It was right on the tip of my tongue. But here, like this? It wasn’t enough. “Charlotte, I—”

She kissed me again, a soft press of our lips, before separating our bodies. Picking up the bags she’d dropped on the floor.

“I’ll miss you,” I whispered to her back.I love you.

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