“Maybe I’ll go get one in a bit.”

He seems to believe I’m going to make it at that point. “K, bye.” He heads toward the row of chairs that look out over the runways, climbing up between a man and a woman.

I sigh, then pull my phone out. I open a text and type, “Hey, just need to let you know, I quit. Sorry. We can talk in a couple of days.”

Then I send it to Andrew.

I love my job. I’m proud of my job. I’ll never get to do something like that again.

But as soon as I press send, I feel a weight lift.

I’ll also never feel the way I do about Ivy and Harrison again, and I’ll never find a situation like what I’ve got waiting for me in Honeysuckle Harbor again.

I can write other things.

My phone dings and I open my messages.

But it’s not Andrew. It’s Sam.

You still in Denver?

Sam insisted on picking me up from the airport when I sent him my itinerary. I figured someone should know where I was and since Ivy, Harrison, and Ford had lost their phones to the FBI, Sam made the most sense.

Yeah. Fucking mechanical issues. Sorry. I’ll text once I’m on board.

Nothing to worry about. It’s all going to be fine.

I appreciate that. But I’m not going to totally feel that until I’m back at Harrison’s house with my three people around me.

Get one of those cinnamon rolls while you wait. I don’t know what they do but airport cinnamon rolls are the best.

I blink at his message. I glance toward the kid by the windows.

Wait, was thecinnamon rollthe sign and not the alien?

Like a sign that everything is really pretty simple and sweet?

Fuck if I know.

My phone dings again. Oh, good. Maybe Sam can follow up on his words of wisdom.

But it’s not Sam. It’s Andrew.

WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!?

I look over at the cinnamon roll shop. Maybe I should get a cinnamon roll before I reply. Maybe I’m fucking this all up.

Another text comes in.

YOU CAN NOT QUIT. I DO NOT ACCEPT YOUR RESIGNATION!!!!!!!!!

Are you aware your caps lock is on?

I’M FUCKING YELLING AT YOU!

Okay, then.

My phone rings. Now Andrew is calling. I grimace and answer. “Hey. Before you say anything, it’s a done deal. I’m half-way back to South Carolina.”