Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73191 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73191 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Lissie follows behind me and goes straight over to Letti, and they fall into a tight hug. I hear a muffled “I’m going to miss you” and “please call” before Lissie pulls back, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. The bond between them is palpable.
Lissie takes a deep breath and steps back. She gives Letti a reassuring smile, though there is sadness lingering in her eyes. “I’ve never really had a best friend,” Lissie says. “And while I have a sister, you feel more like both of those things to me than anyone else.” I see her wipe a tear that’s fallen from her eye. “Please come visit me,” she says to Letti. “I’ll pay.” She winks. “Since everything you have done for me, it’s only fair.”
“You paid me back, Lissie,” Letti reminds her. “And, of course, I’ll come visit. I’ll even drag the boys with me.” Letti looks past her to me. I just stare at them as I wait at the door, giving them a moment to say their goodbyes before Lissie and I head out to the car. I put her bag in the trunk and then open the passenger door for her. She climbs in, her silence speaking volumes as I start the engine and begin the drive. The quiet between us is heavy, but I can feel her gaze on me. The unspoken tension is hanging in the air between us.
“You’ve been one of the best surprises. I wanted you to know that,” she says sincerely.
I look at her as I pull up at a stop light.
“And you’ve been amazing in bed.” I wink at her. She giggles and shakes her head.
Fuck, I love the sound of that giggle.
“Thank you, though. Will you stay in contact with me?” she asks.
I bite my lip, unable to answer that. But she gets it.
When we pull up to the airport, I get out and grab her bag. Her steps are slow as they bring her to me. “Milo.”
“Yes?” I answer her, feeling like this is our final goodbye.
And I fucking hate it.
I hate the way it makes me feel.
The way her leaving affects me more than anything.
“Kiss me?” she asks.
Placing the bag on the ground, I wind my arm around her back and pull her to me.
She comes easily, and our bodies are flush when my lips find hers.
No matter what, and no matter how hard I tried, I don’t think I could refuse kissing Elizabeth Petal.
The minute she started reading to me all that time ago, I was hooked.
The minute she stepped into my space, I was a goner.
And all the while, she had that piece of shit who didn’t ever see her.
Holding her face with both hands, I deepen the kiss. She kisses me back, her hands fisted in my shirt, clinging on. People honk around us, but I couldn’t care less. Smiling against her lips, I pull back but remain close enough to still breathe the same air as her.
“I’m sure going to miss you, Pretty Lady,” I tell her truthfully.
“I’m going to miss you, Milo. Thank you.” I know I should let her go, but my hands are still attached to her face. “Please visit me. I would love to see you again.”
I release her, saying nothing but “Goodbye, Elizabeth.” Then, I get into the car before I do something fucking crazy and make her stay.
Chapter 34
Lissie
“Beg me, please.”
My sister meets me when I land, her eyes welcoming. She took the week off after I called her the night before to tell her everything. The conversation had been difficult, with long pauses and raw emotion that our mother didn’t leave her anything. I offered her some of the money, but she refused. “It’s only fair,” she said, her voice steady despite the hurt. “I wasn’t raised with you, and I didn’t share the same struggles. The money is yours.”
The whole flight, I thought about Milo. The way he looked at me when I said goodbye, to the kiss that I think will linger for many days to come. I am constantly touching my lips, unable to stop myself.
“Lissie,” Savannah squeals, throwing her arms around me. “I can’t believe you actually left. Every time I tried to get you to visit me, you always said no.” She laughs and pulls back. “How did it feel, your first flight?” She picks up my bag and heads for the doors.
“Good. When did you arrive?”
“Just an hour ago. Thought I would hang around until you arrived. Ready to check in to the hotel?”
I nod as we walk out and get into a cab.
When we arrive at the hotel, I check in, and then we go up to the room.
“Do you plan to tell me about what happened?” she asks.
I sit on the bed, tucking my feet under me, as I check my cell. I only see messages from Letti telling me how much she misses me already.