A week later, the whole family made the trip to the airport to see off my parents. When we got to the drop-off area, I couldn’t help but longingly stare at the planes waiting outside. I wished I was getting on one to be with Kellan. I already missed him. He missed me too. I’d received a postcard in the mail from him the day before, a picture of the Hollywood sign. On the back he’d written, Hurry up and get here so I can stop daydreaming about you.
Mom gave Anna a warm hug while Dad explained that I needed to check in with him every day. “I’m serious, Kiera. And, if I don’t hear from you for a couple of days . . . then . . . I’m flying out to get you.” His face was stern, but his eyes belied his true concern for me. He really didn’t like the idea that I was leaving.
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I gave him a quick kiss on the forehead. “Dad, I’ll be fine. Kellan will be with me the entire time.” Dad was scowling when I released him. My words of comfort weren’t so comforting for him. Dad hadn’t entirely warmed to Kellan yet, and he wasn’t exactly the ideal bodyguard in Dad’s eyes.
Anna distracted him from his misery by engulfing him in a playful hug. “Bye, Daddy.”
Dad’s frown shifted to a wide smile as he patted her back. I turned to say goodbye to Mom. After she kissed my head and told me she loved me, she asked, “So, have you decided between a winter or spring wedding? Because we’ve got a lot of work to get started on.”
I contained my sigh as I stepped from her embrace. I’d heard this question about a hundred times already. “I’ll let you know, Mom.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Don’t wait too long. I need to get the announcements out.”
I did sigh that time.
Once our parents were safely tucked onto the plane, Anna turned to face me. With a long sigh, she asked, “Is it just because I’m pregnant, or are they always this taxing?”
I laughed at her and shrugged. I couldn’t speak for the pregnancy part, but I had to imagine that her condition only added to the problem. Well-intentioned or not, our parents could be draining.
As eager as I was to see Kellan, I was also a little reluctant to leave Seattle. I had anchors here. A place was just a place, as I’d told Kellan before, but places came with people, and there were a few that I was really going to miss. When Jenny and I closed up the bar the night before my last shift, it felt surreal to me. Tomorrow was the last day I’d ever work at Pete’s. Jenny grabbed me in the parking lot and pulled me in for a tight embrace; there were tears in her eyes. “I’m going to miss you so much, Kiera.”
I held her back just as tight, holding in my own tears. “Stop, you’re going to make me cry,” I warbled. She released me, and I rubbed her shoulder. “And I’m not going anywhere yet. I still have to work tomorrow, remember?”
Jenny sniffed and swiped her fingers under her eyes. “I know. I just . . . I hate goodbyes.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat as I watched Jenny let out a slow, controlled exhale. “It’s not goodbye yet. And I’ll be back.”
Jenny brightened as she swished her hand. “Oh, I know you will. Besides, I’ll be visiting you guys whenever I can.” Her sudden grin was exhilarant; it matched the glow of her platinum hair. “There is one good thing about you leaving Pete’s, though.”
Not quite sure what that could be, I gave her a blank expression. Jenny bounced on her toes and exclaimed, “We get to throw you a party tomorrow night!”
I cringed. I really didn’t want to be the center of attention at a going-away party. Seeing my reaction, Jenny schooled her features. “Oh, don’t worry. We’ll keep it real low-key. Just some cake in the back room.”
Somehow, I was sure that wouldn’t be the case.
Driving back to my empty home in Kellan’s Chevelle, I was suddenly struck with loneliness. Kellan had only been gone for a couple of weeks, but it felt like forever. Our little white two-story house looked cold and uninviting as I approached it. There was just something about Kellan being here that made the house seem alive. His energy filled it with life, with music.
As I unlocked the door, I dug in my bag for my phone. It was late, but it probably wouldn’t be too late. Kellan was sort of a night owl. He was also an early riser, so if I did miss him, I wouldn’t have to wait too long to hear his sultry voice.
I closed and relocked the door as I dialed his number. He picked up almost instantly. “Hey, you. How did you know I was thinking about you?”
I laughed at his greeting. “Because you’re always thinking about me.”
“Very true,” he husked. “I miss you. Are you coming up soon?”
My smile was blissful as I hung up my bag and jacket. “Anna and I will be on a plane Friday morning.” Anna had taken the Fourth of July holiday weekend off of work so she could safely deliver me to Los Angeles. Surprisingly, it had been Dad’s idea. But Anna was up for any sort of adventure and had eagerly agreed. In fact, she would have put us on a red-eye right after I finished at Pete’s tomorrow, but she had a very important doctor’s appointment the next day.
“Good. I’ve been prepping our room. You’re gonna love it.”