Breathless

Chapter 10

The drive to the airport with Christian is rather silent.

We're going home, only, I'm getting on a flight to Seattle, and he's getting on a flight to San Francisco.

And I'm not sure I'm ready to say goodbye.

We're not even halfway there yet.

"What are you thinking?" he asks softly.

I take a deep breath.

"How I'm gonna have to say goodbye to you at the airport." I say. "And I don't know how long for. And it's like, I'm scared because I don't want to be away from you."

"I know." He says, reaching over to rub my arm. "But you know if you need me to be there, I'll get there as soon as I can."

"I know." I sigh.

We're quiet the whole rest of the ride.

We get to the airport and I bring the Jeep to where they load them onto the planes, giving them my keys.

It's very expensive to get them to put your car on.

I go to baggage with him, but I left my bags in my car so I didn't have to deal with it.

We go through security, and my plane takes off in thirty minutes, so we're standing at the gates, and my plane is already boarding.

"I don't want you to miss your plane." He says quietly.

I look at him.

He pulls me into a tight hug.

I cling to him, my arms around his neck. He's lifted me off the floor and in one quick movement, he moves my legs around his waist. I hug him tightly for a long time.

He slowly sets me down after a few minutes.

"I promise this arrangement won't be permanent." He says, placing his hands on my cheeks. "It's not going to be like this for long, because I hate it, and I know you do, too."

"Okay." I whisper.

I see him hesitating for some reason.

"Last call for the flight to Seattle!" the fight attendant yells.

Christian leans in and presses his lips to mine quickly.

"I love you, Erin. Now go, before you miss a third flight.

"I love you too." I say. He holds onto my hand until I'm out of reach, and I get on the plane.

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I absolutely hate being in Seattle. I literally just walked in my front door, and I'm just pissed to be here.

And I'm even more pissed because I didn't have my phone on the plane, so I assumed I left it in the Jeep, but I ripped the entire Jeep apart and it's not there.

Frustrated, I take a shower, and I get dressed, and I pace, because I can't find my phone, which means I can't talk to Christian.

I rip the car apart again, checking every single inch of it.

It's fucking snowing out, and I can't find my fucking phone.

I'm livid, and I grab my keys and wallet to go to the phone store, and then a small black Saturn rolls up efore I get in the Jeep.

And to my surprise, Dylan and Aubrey get out.

"Hey." I say, confused.

"Hey." Dylan says. "Christian called me and said that your Mom called him with your phone, and you left your phone on her couch."