Chapter 19

Chapter Nineteen

Chloe stood by Hamish's SUV, her suitcase by her foot, just staring up at Hamish with all the things she didn't dare say locked behind her teeth.

The TSA security officer who'd warned them to move along had already walked away and still they both stood here, staring at one another. She couldn't move and if she opened her mouth, she was afraid she'd tell him again that she loved him. But he hadn't said anything back to her the last time she'd tried, so she kept it to herself.

It hurt less that way.

"Remember my rules?" Hamish finally asked, sliding his hands deep into his back jeans pockets.

Summoning her best smile, she nodded. "I'll follow them the whole way home. No deviations, no matter what, I promise."

"Good girl." He managed a brief smile too.

A shapely whistle blew. TSA was looking at them again, and Hamish was taking note.

"You know, if you ever want to come…"

Back again? Chloe stood breathless, her hands fists hidden in the folds of her skirt, terrified–hopeful–praying desperately for how she wanted his sentence to end, but he never finished it.

With a sudden step forward, he caught her face again in his strong hands and bent in close. She lifted her chin, trying to meet him halfway, but he pulled her face downward to press a lingering kiss on her forehead.

"Be safe," was all he whispered into her hair, and then he let her go.

Turning sharply, he headed around his car to leave.

"Don't go" sprang to her lips, but somehow she managed to swallow that back too.

Suddenly, Hamish snapped around and charged back to her. This time when he grabbed her face, forget forehead kisses, he fiercely captured her lips with his, and oh, how they held onto one another.

It ended with another shrill screech of security's whistle.

Without another word, he let her go. He looked at her as if to commit her to his memory, and he really did walk away. Getting in his car, he drove toward home without looking back. Chloe knew, because she stood there, her hand held high in farewell until she couldn't see him anymore.

She went inside the airport, standing at the front floor-to-ceiling windows, just in case he might come back, but he didn't.

It took almost an hour to get through processing, but finally she was allowed to board.

The plane was just as full as before, but she didn't care. Folding herself into her budget seat, she turned her face toward the window and ignored everything until the wheels left the ground.

She ugly cried the whole way home.