Page 81 of Craving the Player

“Then what is?” she asks. “I’ve never met the guy, but from what you’ve told me, he’sjust ahard shell to break. The typical fear of commitment and inability to open up type of guy.”

“That’san understatement.” Aheavy one.

“He makes you happy though, right? I’ve seen it. It’sbeen nice to see it. Really nice.”

It’sbeen nice to be happy. Refreshing, almost. But that’sdone, and I’mgoing to be happy again. Just in adifferent way. Idon’tneed anyone to make me happy. Just myself.

“Ican make myself happy,” Ireply confidently, nodding to myself and smiling slightly when Isee the airport standing in front of the rising sun.

“Ihave no doubt about that. But maybe don’tgive up on him yet. He could always surprise you.”

“Yeah, okay,” Iagree half-heartedly, my attention resting mostly on the excitement and nervousness Ifeel as we pull up to the drop-off lane in front of the airport. Butterflies swarm in my stomach, forcing me to swallow nervously. It’snow or never.

As soon as the car comes to astop in the drop off line, I’mhopping out and moving to the back. Pulling open the trunk, Icollect my bags before dropping them on the pavement and turning to see Clare standing off to the side. My heart lurches when Isee the unshed tears in her eyes, hiding behind the pride Isee there as well.

“I’mso proud of you, Sierra. Don’tforget that. And don’tforget to come visit us sometime. This will always be your home after all,” she says, voice wavering.

Imove to hug her quickly, wrapping her up tightly and nodding into her sweater. “Ilove you so much. I’ll come back as soon as Ican, and we’ll Facetime every single day,” Iwhisper, sucking back my sniffle.

She pushes me back but keeps afirm grip on my shoulders as she says, “Ilove you too. Now go get ‘em!”

Inod quickly, smiling for real this time before grabbing onto my bags and heading to the sliding doors, not daring to look back and risk changing my mind.

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