Early Sunday morning, before the sky had rolled every shade of blue into one and taken on its pearly glaze, Jasmyn and Sam stood outside the airport, looked at each other, and laughed.
The shuttle bus from the long-term parking lot had just deposited them and their luggage at the curb. Despite Beau’s offer to drive them, Sam had insisted on driving her car and parking in the long-term lot. Jasmyn figured the two-way crush was still in effect but not making much progress.
Sam said, “Whew. We made it.”
“So far, so good.”
“Come on. We agreed that the third time’s a charm. You’ll get on board this time.”
They wheeled their bags toward an entrance.
Jasmyn said, “I hope so, after all you went through to get us here. Half a day online and how many phone calls?”
“I lost count, but it was worth it. We ended up with only two layovers and twelve hours travel time.”
“And we still have money in the bank.”
“Yes. The biggest hurdle, though, was getting you and Liv through another set of goodbyes.”
Jasmyn smiled sadly. It had been bittersweet hugging Liv in the predawn shadows, not knowing when or if they would ever see each other again.
Sam nudged her with an elbow. “But don’t answer your phone, and if you see Keagan, duck.”
“Good idea.” As they walked, she pulled her phone from a jacket pocket. “I’m going to turn it off— Oh, no.” She stopped, read the screen, and set down her carry-on. “Three missed calls. A text. All from Keagan.”
Sam groaned.
“The text says, ‘Where are you?’ ”
“Tell him we’re on the plane. We got an earlier flight. Hasta la vista, bud.”
She felt light headed. Her stomach clenched. “But what if it’s—”
“It’s nothing, Jasmyn.” She took the phone. “I’m calling him. There is absolutely nothing that can keep you from leaving today.” She put the phone to her ear. “No matter who got sick or who needs—Keagan!” She spoke sternly into the phone. “You know where we are!”
“Now I do.” His voice was loud.
Too loud to be coming from the phone.
He was at Jasmyn’s side.
Sam lowered the phone. “You have got to be kidding me.”
“Liv forgot to give this to you.” He held out a small cloth bag. “Cookies for the trip. You know her. She was distraught because she’d baked them especially—What’s wrong?” He looked back and forth between the two of them.
Sam grabbed the bag from him without a word, her scowl saying more than enough.
Jasmyn could only shake her head and hope her breakfast toast stayed down. She tried to inconspicuously press her stomach and breathe normally.
Light seemed to dawn on his face. “Ohhh. You thought something had happened.”
Sam said, “Given your history at the airport with Jasmyn, uh, yeah.”
“I’m sorry. I am so sorry.” He smiled and spread his arms. “Everything is fine.” His eye caught Jasmyn’s.
And there was a shift in him. In the air. In Jasmyn herself.
She wondered if it was the sunlit peacock blue or the intriguing shape his jaw took on as the smile faded or the expression that contradicted what he said. Everything was not fine.
She agreed. Everything was not fine.
She stepped nearer to him, stood on tiptoes, and kissed his jaw where the leather jacket collar touched it. “Thanks, Keagan,” she whispered.
His arms came around her.
And then everything was fine.