Page 187 of Exposé

He's not here.

Just a few more minutes.

Standing on the tips of my toes, I glanced over the heads of each individual coming my way when the attendant tapped my shoulder. "Miss, we are closing the doors. You need to board."

"One more minute, please?"

"I'm sorry. If you don't get on right now, I'll have to close the doors without you."

My eyes stung as my nightmares came to life.

I have to leave without him.

"But..."

"Miss, please. We're on a tight schedule."

I turned toward the gate, let her scan my ticket, and then glanced over my shoulder one last time.

We were supposed to fly together.

Why isn't he here?

With my boarding pass in hand and glimmering eyes, I walked down the long ramp toward the plane, putting Riverfield behind me...and a hole in my heart.

37

Nate

The cab idled at the curb, its engine thrumming beneath me like a restrained predator. My fingers curled against the cracked leather seat, every vibration translating into a low hum of tension in my bones. The air reeked of stale cigarettes and body odor, undercut by the sharp tang of jet fuel seeping through the cracked window.

Ava moved through the airport’s sliding doors, her dark coat draping over her hanging shoulders.

To anyone else, she was just another passenger with a purpose driving her forward—but there was hesitation—the barely perceptible hitch in her step.

A crack in the façade.

A moment of doubt.

"Thanks." I handed him his fare, then stepped out, following her through the crowd, keeping my distance from her scanning eyes.

Through the security checkpoint, I stopped a fair distance from the gate. My heart stuck in my chest, frozen in time as she turned and surveilled the crowd—her brows creased.

She's waiting.

For me.

I'm sorry, my recluse.

"Final boarding call for Flight 7999 to Jakarta."

The weight in my chest settled like a cinder block as the attendant approached.

Ava walked into the boarding walkway, her face paling as she glanced over her shoulder one last time.

Then she was gone.

Swallowed by the sterile brightness of the airport, behind a door that locked her in and shut me out.

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