Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 17750 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 89(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17750 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 89(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
My dad stares at me in shock. It’s the only time I’ve ever seen him speechless.
Taking advantage of the moment, I lean forward and kiss his cheek. “I have a prince to find.”
Eric
Sitting in the airport, I glance at the clock on my phone and will myself not to call Atlas again. I’m doing this for her. I’m walking away from the woman I love so she can have a good life. A better life than anything I could offer her.
I replay the memories from tonight in my mind. I keep looking for something I could do differently. Some way I could have saved myself this heartache.
But there’s no other option than the pain because I’m in love with Atlas. Every beat of my heart is because of her now.
“You look like a man who made a dumb ass decision.”
I glance from my phone to the sixty-something man with a green newsboy cap. He has a twinkle to his blue eyes and one of those faces that looks like he’s perpetually smirking.
He takes a seat beside me, poking my foot with his cane. “What did you do to lose her?”
“I didn’t lose her. I walked away.” Even saying the words leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Walking away from Atlas was the toughest thing I’ve ever done.
“Ah, so you didn’t just make a dumb ass decision. You’re actually a dumb ass.”
I snort. “I suppose you’re going to tell me how to fix it.”
He uses his cane to point to the coffee machine ten feet in front of us. “For a cup of coffee, I’ll tell you the secrets of the universe.”
One cup of coffee and a long story later, my new friend stares at me. “And you really think leaving her is the right decision?” He makes a “tsk” sound like he’s a teacher watching a student choose the wrong answer on a test.
“It’s the one that’s best for her.” That belief is the only thing that’s keeping me in this chair right now and not headed back to find Atlas.
“Are you sure about that?”
I think of the heartbreak in her voice when we were on the phone. We’ve both wanted this for so long. You said I was the best night of your life.
Over the loudspeaker, I hear the announcement that my plane is now boarding. New York and a future without Atlas are waiting for me. All I have to do is get up and walk toward it.
My seatmate finishes the last sip of his coffee, crushing the paper cup. “You’ve run into battle every time, soldier. What’s stopping you from going to the frontlines for love?”
With a start, I realize he’s right. No matter what happens, I’m going to fight for Atlas. I’ll always fight for her. Until my dying breath.
9
ATLAS
Sitting in the front seat of my dad’s limo, I watch the speedometer as Katie pushes the car to fifty.
“Can we go any faster?” I tap my foot against the floor, trying to steel my nerves. I need to see Eric before he leaves. I need him to know everything that’s in my heart. But I don’t know what I’m going to do if he still leaves after that.
As it was, my dad was angry with me when I left. He thinks I’m making a foolish mistake. But I pointed out that it’s been a long time since he was in love then I left the party.
I rushed outside to discover Katie had pulled my father’s limo to the front. She gave me a grin and dangled the keys from her fingertips. “Are you looking for an accomplice?”
Katie reaches out to pat my knee as she merges onto the interstate. “We’ll get there in time.”
“Why do you put up with him?” I ask, already suspecting the answer. I love my dad, but I don’t understand him.
“He’s not a bad guy,” Katie replies. “There’s a side of him that most people—including you—don’t get to see.”
“Is he Batman?” I ask, half-joking.
To my surprise, she giggles. “That would make me Robin and I do not look good in a leotard.”
“Maybe he’ll come around eventually,” I say, trying to keep the hope from my voice. I may have just messed everything up with my dad to be with a guy who will tell me he doesn’t want me.
This was the best night of my life. I hold tight to those words as my anxiety grows with every passing mile.
When we finally arrive, Katie pulls the limo to the front of the airport. She leans over and hugs me tightly. “Good luck. I’ll be waiting for you.”
I step into the Asheville airport and I’m instantly overwhelmed by all the gates. I wish I’d gotten his flight number.
I scan the list of departures. There’s only one midnight flight leaving for New York now. The gate number flashes, and I look around, trying to figure out which direction the gate is.