Page 87 of Love Like This

“And you’re sure about this?” Isabel asked. “As in big bang timesa thousand?”

Hadley smiled. “You have no idea how sure.”

“Where’s your connecting flight?”

“Newark,” Hadley told them. “I have a two-hour layover and thenit’s straight on to where all the magic happens.”

They stared at each other in silence, recognizing the importanceof this moment. Isabel shifted uncomfortably and Hadley’s eyes crowded withtears. “Well, I don’t want to hear about too many wild nights without me.”

Gia shoved her hands into the pockets of her jeans. “Wouldn’t bethe same anyway.”

“We won’t let theme nights die, either!” Autumn said. “I alreadyhave several ideas for the months ahead. Gonna make you proud.”

Hadley grinned through her tears. “Thanks, Autumn. I’ll needphotos.”

“Pshhh,” Isabel said. “You will not. You’ll be there with us.We’re gonna FaceTime you in.”

“I would love that. Oh!” She reached in her bag. “I almost forgot.I have a card for each of you. Nothing major and you can read them later. Justa few words from my heart about what you each mean to me. What this groupdoes.” The tears were falling freely down her face now. Looking at her threebest friends, she could see that she wasn’t alone in that department.

“I look like such a loser when I cry,” Isabel said, accepting hercard.

Gia elbowed her. “Shut up. I’m the idiot.”

“Well,yeah,”Isabel said, followed by another elbow. “No one is disputing that.”

“And I look amazing tear-streaked,” Autumn said, with an angelicgrin. She waved like the queen through her tears. That earned a laugh, whichhelped break the tension.

“Well…I guess this is it.” Hadley smiled, opened her arms wide,and her best friends came together in one big hug. “You guys look out for eachother,” she said, in the midst of the giant group squeeze. “No one let Autumnwork too hard. If Gia beats herself up about how she finishes in a tournament,you guys remind her how amazing she is. Keep an eye on Izzy. She gets in herown head and self-doubt creeps in and that’s stupid. Pull her out of it atevery chance.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Got it.”

“We won’t let you down.”

She released them and wiped her tears quickly. “Okay, no more ofthat,” she said forcefully. She pointed at them. “Fast is better, so I willjust say that I will see you all very soon. You hear me? Only a handful ofweeks until I visit at Christmas.”

“Safe travels, Had,” Autumn said.

She nodded, blew the three of them kisses and, with focuseddetermination, made herself walk out of the shop. She glanced back up at thelogo, that crazy cat playing his guitar, and smiled fondly at what felt likethe end of an important era.

In the midst of it all, she was so very grateful.

* * *

Spencer strolled the concourse of Newark Liberty InternationalAirport, perusing the windows of the various shops and wondering if she shouldeat a full meal before boarding the plane that would whisk her back across thecountry to Los Angeles. Just the thought gave her a twinge of nervous energy inher stomach. She’d stick with a snack and bottle of water.

Waiting in line to pay, she smiled as she was overcome with thefamiliar scent of Hadley’s hibiscus shampoo that used to drive her wild.Someone in the store must also be a fan. She smiled at the reminder and tookthat as a sign from the universe that she was on the right path. Took her longenough, but she’d made it. The Hadley kismet didn’t stop there. As she walkedto her gate, she spotted a woman from behind who reminded her so much ofHadley, even down to the way she walked. She laughed. Okay, she got it, cosmos!She had Hadley on the brain and shook her head at the series of signs directingher path.

She checked her watch. With another half hour to boarding, sheplaced a quick call to her mother, who’d be waiting on a status update.

“You almost here?” her mama asked, as soon as she clicked on tothe call.

Spencer laughed. “You know I have another few hours. Just lettingyou know I’m on time.”

She heard a rustling and then her pop’s voice. He must havegrabbed the phone. “I’ll be picking you up in the blue SUV. Not gonna bringyour mama’s car because it’s cramped and it smells like flowers all the time.”

Spencer smiled. “Yes, sir. That makes total sense. I’ll look forthe SUV.”

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