Page 184 of Exposé

I nodded, swallowing against the lump in my throat. "Alright. Let’s do this."

Standing, I showered in record time, dressed for the airport, and tied my hair into a French braid, my stomach in twisted knots.

"Ready?" Nate waited at the door with the duffel bag in his left hand as I slung my backpack over my shoulder, filled with everything we needed—our tickets to freedom.

"Is there any other answer, but yes?" I straightened, my shoulders strung as tight as a tennis racket.

Nate stepped closer to me and cupped the frame of my face in his hand, drawing my worried eyes to his. "We can do this. Because failure isn't an option."

I swallowed hard and gave a sharp nod.

"Now repeat the plan."

"Go to Riverfield Chronicles, tell Whitney to print it, then head to the airport where we'll meet up."

"And if I'm not there?"

"Get on the plane anyway." My brows furrowed. "But what if—"

"You get on the fucking plane, Ava. No ifs, ands, or buts. Just do it."

"What if you get caught?"

"Then I'm not coming with you. Stick to the plan because I can't be worrying if you did while I'm out there ruining his miserable life."

"Okay." I nodded, turning my face into his touch. "Just… be careful."

Nate grinned and pressed a lingering kiss against my lips. "Don't worry about me."

I wrapped my fingers around his wrists and nodded, using my grip on him to steady myself.

No mistakes.

No backing out.

We had to be all in.

"I will. I'll see you soon."

"You will." His phone pinged and he dug it out of his new blue jeans. "Your taxi is here."

"I'm not ready." The words flew out in awhooshas though my lungs collapsed, my heart rate skyrocketing.

This is all too fast.

"Nate…"

He closed the distance and pressed his lips to mine in a soul-shattering kiss I'd remember for a lifetime.

My eyes burned as tears spilled down my cheeks. "I love you."

"Ditto, babe." He rested his forehead against mine and wiped the tears away with the pad of his thumb. "I'll kiss you again when I see you."

Another tear dripped down my cheek as we broke apart. He backed away and opened the door. "I'll walk you out. Remember, keep your eyes open, and embrace that natural paranoia."

He grinned as I scoffed, walking through the doorway and into the parking lot.

The dull yellow taxi parked at the office, waiting with its long trail of exhaust flowing into the crisp air like a puffy translucent cloud.

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