“I will.”
I knew I should move on, but I couldn’t make my feet move.
“We need to board soon,” my mother called from where she stood near the security gate.
I nodded at her, then looked back at Eli. “See you,” I said. I turned and started walking toward my mother.
“Dusty,” Eli called, that familiar desperate longing in his voice.
The sound of it went right through me, and I slid the strap of my carry-on off my shoulder and let it fall to the ground. Then I spun around and came back to Eli, moving fast before I lost my nerve. I put my hands on the side of his head, even as his slid around my waist. Then I kissed him. Right there in full view of my mother and Lady Elaine. Everyone. I kissed him like it was the last time I ever would. And he kissed me, too, holding me as if he feared I would vanish any second.
Finally, Eli pulled away but only far enough to whisper in my ear, “I’ll be here when you get back.”
“I’ll hurry.”
Then I turned and headed toward the security gate, my heart both heavy with the knowledge of the long weeks ahead, but also light with the surety of what waited when I returned.