Unspoken Goals

Epilogue

Portland, Oregon - June:

The rain had stopped an hour ago, leaving the pavement wet and reflecting the airport lights like scattered stars. Abigail pulled into the drop-off lane, her chest tightening the second the car rolled to a stop.

Juliette didn't move.
Neither did Abigail.

The suitcases in the backseat felt heavier than luggage had any right to—two weeks of Juliette helping her move in, building furniture, getting lost around the city, making Abigail's unfamiliar apartment feel almost like home.

But this moment?
This moment felt nothing like home.

Juliette finally let out a long breath. "Well," she said softly, her voice too light to be real, "guess this is my stop."

Abigail nodded, though her knuckles whitened on the steering wheel. "You sure you don't want me to walk you in?"

Juliette gave her a soft, sad smile. "If you walk me in, Abs... I'm not getting on that plane."

That broke something small inside Abigail.

Juliette reached for her hand, their fingers meeting in the middle console, finding each other on instinct. The familiar warmth pulled a shaky exhale from Abigail's chest.

"You ready for this?" Juliette whispered.

"No," Abigail admitted, voice cracking. "Are you?"

Juliette laughed under her breath. "Not even a little."

Abigail swallowed hard, trying to memorize every detail, Juliette's hair tied up messily from moving boxes, the faint bruise on her shin from carrying a dresser up three flights, the tired smile that still made Abigail feel steady.

"You know I'll call you all the time, right?" Juliette said gently. "Like, annoyingly often. You're gonna get so sick of me."

"Impossible." Abigail's voice came out quiet.

Juliette lifted their joined hands and pressed her lips to the back of Abigail's. The kind of kiss that stopped time just long enough to hurt.

"I'm really proud of you," Juliette murmured against her skin.

Abigail blinked through the sting in her eyes. "I'm proud of you too."

They stayed like that for a moment, breathing the same fragile air, neither willing to let go first.

Finally, Juliette pulled back, eyes glassy. "If we sit here any longer, I'm going to cry, and then you're going to cry, and then some poor TSA worker is going to have to deal with two emotional disasters at six in the morning."

Abigail managed a weak smile. "I'm sure it wouldn't be their first time."

Juliette opened her door, grabbed her bags from the back, then leaned back into the car one more time. "Hey." Her voice softened. "We're going to be okay."

Abigail nodded even though her throat felt too tight to breathe. "Yeah... we will."

Juliette hesitated, then leaned in and pulled her into a tight hug. When they pulled back, she kissed her. Slow. Certain. A kiss that promised more than any words ever could.

When they separated, Juliette rested her forehead against Abigail's. "I'll call you when I land."

"You better." Abigail whispered.

Juliette stepped back, about to close the door when Abigail's voice cracked through the air.

"I love you."

Juliette froze, then gave her a sad, trembling smile. "I love you more."

The door shut with a soft thud that felt too final. Juliette slung her backpack over her shoulder, grabbed her suitcase, and headed toward the sliding doors.

Abigail watched her go.

Halfway to the entrance, Juliette suddenly turned back—her eyes finding Abigail through the windshield like they always did. She lifted her hand in a small wave.

Abigail lifted hers back.

Then Juliette disappeared inside.

Abigail sat there long after she was gone, until an airport worker tapped on her window and motioned for her to move along. She sniffled, wiped her face, and reached for the gear shift—when her phone buzzed softly.

Jules: I already miss you.
Jules: And also I'm pretty sure I went into the wrong terminal.

A choked laugh escaped Abigail as she wiped at her cheeks again.

Abs: You're impossible.
Jules: Yeah, but you love me anyway.
Abs: Always.

She put the car in drive, the ache in her chest warm instead of hollow.

No amount of space could ruin what they had. This was simply the beginning—the start of both of them living the dream they'd chased since they were kids. Maybe not in the same city, maybe not the way they once imagined, but still moving forward.

Still together in the ways that mattered.

At least that was what she told herself as she pulled away from the curb...
as a plane prepared to carry half her heart back across the country.

[A/N]: Do I sense a sequel? Guess you'll have to stick around to find out :)

I want to thank everyone who has read and interacted with this book. It really means a lot to me. On another note, if you guys would like to check out my new book Crossed Lines. Thank you, guys, so much again <3