Page 84 of The Kiss Countdown

Ah yes, the yacht. I’ve just about gotten over the fact that I’m planning a vow renewal ceremony. While it may be similar to a wedding, Mrs. Rogers is nothing close to a bridezilla, and I’m confident the day will go off without a hitch. But why, oh why, they want to hold the celebration on a boat, instead of on dry land or, better yet, here at Camille’s house where there’s plenty of space, is beyond me. They are the clients, however, so their wish is my command.

“I found our yacht,” I announce, forcing a smile.

Camille’s eyes light up. “You are a miracle worker! I knew you’d come through for us.”

The doorbell chimes through the house, and she stands up. “That’s Mom. She’s going to flip when she hears the news.”

My smile drops when she’s out of sight. I hate that my mind isn’t all in. Excitement that I’m fulfilling my clients’ wishes and thankfulness that my business is moving forward should have me floating on air, but my mom’s face keeps popping up in my mind, and all I feel is sorrow. Maybe I should make an excuse to cut this meeting short.

When the door opens, the last thing I expect is to hear Camille say, “Hey, Vince. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

All the same, I whip around, and the sight of him walking into view is like a balm to my bruised soul. Without hesitation I get up and walk to him, throwing my arms around his neck.

I did well enough keeping my emotions in check, but now everything is threatening to burst out. Vincent must pick up on the quake that ripples through me as I fight back tears and he rubs my back.

“Are you okay?” he says.

“I’ll give you two a minute,” Camille says before her steps grow faint.

I focus on the steady pounding of his heart against my cheek. Once my emotions are firmly under control, I pull back and clear my throat. “What are you doing here?”

“I’ve been trying to call you, but it went straight to voice mail. I knew you were meeting with my sister though.” He studies me for a moment before running a hand over his face. “There’s an issue with the orbiter that’s threatening to scrub the whole mission. I have to go to Florida.”

I frown. “When do you have to leave?”

“I’m heading to the airport now.”

My heart seizes and I take a step back as his words hit me like a physical blow. “You have to leavenow?”

“Yes. I’m sorry, I won’t make it for dinner with your parents. I hope I can make it back in time before they leave.”

I forgot all about us having dinner this evening. I didn’t even get a chance to tell them about Vincent before bolting out of the restaurant at lunch.

Vincent runs a warm hand up and down my arm. “But something else is bothering you. What’s wrong?”

“I met up with my parents earlier, and my mom was...” I shake my head. I don’t want to get into the specifics now. And I don’t want Vincent to leave.

“Is your mom in the hospital?”

“No. Thankfully, no. It seems, however, that she’s been keeping the severity of her condition from me.” Apparently, keeping secrets is a new theme for us all.

“I’m sorry.” He doesn’t hesitate to close the small distance I tried putting between us and places a kiss on my forehead with a sigh. “I wish I could stay here with you, really, but I have to go.”

I close my eyes to fight against the hurt. “You don’t have to apologize.”

Of course Vincent has to go. As close as we’ve become these past few weeks—the laughter we’ve shared, the time we’ve made for each other; all so, so good—it’s all been temporary.

I was fooling myself into thinking we could have forever, when we can’t even have tonight. He’s leaving, and though it’s only for a few days while they manage a crisis, soon he’ll be gone for six months. And after that? Who knows. The life of an astronaut is not stationary, even for one grounded on Earth. There are always long hours of training and traveling. So much unpredictability. I’ve wanted Vincent to be the one person I can rely on to pick me up when I’m feeling low. To hold me if for no other reason than I want to feel his arms around me. To tell me my mom will be okay, just to help keep hope alive. With the career Vincent’s chosen, I may as well be counting on the stars not to shine.

I suck in a gulp of air as I back out of his hold. “Don’t worry about me, Vincent. Do what you need to do.”

I seriously allowed myself to become dependent onhim, all to keep the truth from my parents. Maybe if I had been more forthcoming with them, they would have returned that trust.

“Of course I’m worried about you,” Vincent says. “I know how upset you must be about your mom, and I want to be here for you.”

“But you have to go. I get it.” I wrap my arms around my middle. “We both have our own priorities to focus on.”

He stares at me like he’s just lost a piece of a puzzle that had been right in his hand. “What is that supposed to mean?”

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