Chapter 67

Adam

Ibreathe a deep sigh of relief as I exit the jet bridge. If I never got on a plane again it will be too soon.

The terminal is abuzz with bedraggled people, several asleep in their seats. A group of teenagers dressed in green team sweatshirts are sitting on the floor playing what looks like Texas Hold ‘Em.

"Excuse me, pardon me," I say, weaving through the crowd, looking for the men's room. I desperately need to splash cold water on my face and calm down my heart rate. I don't want to show up at Evie's place looking like a mess.

If I even get that far.

Why would she see me after I kept my mouth shut when she needed me most?

I take my phone off airplane mode. A text from Zane pops onto the screen.

Good luck, bro.

I give the message a thumbs up emoji, then go to pull myself together.

Ten minutes later, I'm stepping outside into the freezing cold. Recently plowed snow piles line the sidewalk. I zip up my coat and follow signs to the taxi line, when the phone buzzes once more with a number I don't recognize.

I let the call go to voicemail and take my place in line, the yellow cabs inching forward, accepting passengers.

A new text comes through.

It's Jeffrey, Evie's son. Pls answer.

When the phone rings again, I quickly tap the screen. "Hey, Jeffrey. Is everything all right?"

"Hope it's okay that I called. Found your number online."

"Yeah sure. What's up?"

"I just woke up. Mom left a note on the kitchen table. Who even does that anymore? That's what texts are for, right?"

"Uh, right."

"My mom is on her way to see you."

"What?"

"Listen, I don't know what the deal is with you two but fix it, okay?"

My heart is pounding wildly, trying to focus on what Jeffrey just said. "Back up a sec. Your mom is going to Yosemite?" I ask, incredulous.

"She left me her flight info." Jeffrey reads it aloud.

"JFK? That's where I am."

"Whoa. Rad, bro."

A taxi pulls up and the driver gets out. "Where to?"

"Sorry, take the next guy."

The man gives me a ‘you gotta be kidding' look.

I tell Jeffrey I'll keep him posted then turn around and run back into the terminal. The line is long up to the ticket counter. Two familiar bodies stand at the counter.

It can't be.

I push to the front and hurry to the counter, earning several angry stares.

"Steph?"

"Adam?" She looks as surprised as I am.

Brad says, "This is too weird."

I feel bad for the guy. He can't escape the Demetrius clan.

"Aren't you supposed to be on your honeymoon?" I ask.

"Yes, and we are," she replies. I note the lack of fury. Something's changed since I saw her last.

She says, "Hear anything from Ronna . . . I mean, Evie?"

"Huh?"

What is happening?

Steph is waiting for a reply.

"Her son just called me. She's here at the airport on her way to see me."

"Then it worked!" Steph beams.

"What worked?"

"Brad and I stopped at her place. It's adorable by the way."

My head is spinning. "Steph, focus!"

"We tried to convince her to clear the air with you."

"You did?"

"What? I still have your back," she says, matter-of-factly. Then, "Wait a hot second! You got on a plane to come here!" She grins. "Wow, now I know it's true love."

Ignoring the drama in front of her, the ticketing agent hands Brad two boarding passes. "Enjoy your flight."

I say, "I need to find Evie before she gets on that plane."

All three of us turn to face the woman behind the counter.

"I have to go back to the gate. Someone can escort me. The woman I love is about to leave."

"I'm sorry, sir. That's not possible."

"Okay, then I need a ticket on the next flight to Reno."

The woman taps on her keyboard and shakes her head. "We have no tickets left. Everyone's been rebooked due to the storm that just came through." She looks up. "Anyhow, it's currently boarding."

"I need to get back on that plane."

The agent looks at me like I'm missing half of my brain cells.

Steph smiles sweetly. "If you can get my brother on that flight, I'll name my first child after you." She squints at the woman's name tag. "Say-oh-eers. Sow-ears?"

"It's pronounced SEER-sha."

I frown. "

"Sir, you're holding up the line."

I think a moment. "Okay, give me a ticket to wherever the gate next to hers is going to."

Saoirse looks at me funny then begins tapping on her keyboard once more. "Cincinnati. One seat left."

"I'll take it!"

As I grab my boarding pass, Brad looks at me with fiery determination. "Come on!" he shouts.

And the three of us run together to the gate.