33. Milo
Chapter 33
Milo
“Pretty Lady, I’ll miss you.”
W hen I wake, she’s already up and ready, coming back into the bedroom in jeans and a knitted sweater, her long black hair tied up. She smiles at me when she notices I’m awake.
“I didn’t want to wake you, but I do have to go,” she says.
I look around the room and notice it’s now empty of her things. I’m not even sure she had much to begin with.
“I’m rich. Did I tell you that?” She beams at me, and a part of me is so fucking mad that she’s so fucking happy to be leaving. While the other part would never do anything to hold her back.
Pushing the blankets off, I swing my legs to the side of the bed before I stand. Reaching for my shirt that I threw on the floor last night, I put it on and then face her. “Congrats,” is all I can manage to say.
“Did you find him?” she asks in a small voice. “Cody, I mean. Did you find him?”
“No. He’s lucky I didn’t.”
“Don’t kill him… if you find him. Please don’t, Milo.”
“Why do you care if he lives or dies? He was an ass to you,” I growl, stepping closer to her because I can’t help myself.
“I don’t love him, and I don’t even like him, but I don’t wish for him to die,” she says innocently.
I shake my head, not wanting to have this conversation with her. “Let’s take you to the airport.”
“My bag won’t fit on your bike.”
“I have a car parked out front.”
I grab her suitcase and walk out of the bedroom. Letti is waiting for her, and when she sees me, her eyes widen in surprise. Mason let me in last night and must not have told her.
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.