Home. I shiver at how good that sounds. I kiss him one final time and then spin away and move intothe flow of people moving towards security.
It’s easier this way, just ripping off the bandage. No drawn-out goodbye, no weeping. I need to lookconfident in this decision. I need to be certain. Plus, if I have to watch Nikolai turn and head for theexit, I’m not sure I’ll be able to force myself to keep moving.
Elise steps up alongside me as we wait in line. “Are you okay, B?”
She’s quiet. When I look over, her eyebrow is arched.
“What?” I demand. “I’m fine.”
“You’re a liar is what you are. Pinocchio nose, pants on fire, the whole nine yards.”
I groan. “I’m sad, but I’m fine.”
“You’re sad and you’re miserable,” she agrees. “That is not fine.”
We kick off our shoes and place them on the
