When Constellations Form (Light in the Dark 4)

Xander looks at his watch. “I don’t want to rush you, but we need to go if we’re going to make our flight.”

“I’m ready,” I tell him. There’s no reason to linger.

“So, I don’t get a hug? I see how it is,” Jace jokes.

“Since when do you not cringe like you’re being boiled alive when some tries to hug you?”

“I’ve never cringed,” he defends. I tilt my head, looking at him like he’s crazy. “Maybe a small cringe,” he acquiesces. I open my arms to hug him and he holds up his hands. “I changed my mind. I don’t want to hug you.”

“Too late now, buddy,” I say, wrapping my arms around him.

He laughs and hugs me back. He lets me go and I step back. “Thank you and you—” I turn to Nova “—for taking care of the move and Prue while we’re gone. You didn’t have to do that.”

“We wanted to help.” Nova smiles. “I hope you guys have fun. You deserve this.”

“Thanks.” I hug her, then Rae. “I guess we’re out of here, then?” I ask Xander.

He nods. “Yeah, we have to go.”

“All right, let’s get moving then.” Cade claps his ha

nds together. “Come on, come on.” He corrals us toward the stairs.

We return our gowns and then head out to the parking lot together. Jace and Nova make plans to meet up with everyone at a restaurant for dinner after Cade and Rae drop the two of us off at the house, since we need to change our clothes and get our car.

I hug my mom goodbye. “Have a safe trip,” she tells me. “I love you.”

I watch her and James head off toward their car.

Cade’s Jeep appears in the distance and Xander places his hand on my waist, guiding me forward.

I can tell he’s getting nervous, probably worrying about the traffic leaving the school, and then at the airport. I don’t know exactly what the time our flight is, and I haven’t bothered asking since he wouldn’t tell me anyway. There’s no point in wasting my breath.

Cade starts the Jeep and we pile inside.

By the time we arrive at the house, Xander is about ready to jump out of his skin. He all but pushes me out of the car with a grunt of, “Go, go, go.”

I’d like to see him go in six-inch heels, thank you very much.

I stumble inside. “Hey, Prue,” I greet the curly-haired dog who wags her tail happily when she sees us.

“No time. We have to go,” he urges, pushing against my back.

“Xander,” I groan. “I’m about to shove one of my heels in your eye-socket. Chill.”

“We’re going to miss our flight,” is all he says in response.

I reach our room and start taking my clothes off to change. Since Xander’s being a psycho I can’t even enjoy the sight of him tearing at his buttons like a mad-man. Normally, that’s a sight that leads to a whole heap of good things, but not today.

I change into my yoga pants and a tank-top, slip my feet into my tennis shoes, and pick up my sweatshirt.

“I’m ready,” I announce.

Xander finishes tugging down his shirt. “Everything we need is in the car.”

“Including passports?” I ask.

“Fuck,” he curses, looking around. “Where the fuck are our passports?” He mutters to himself, opening the dresser drawers but of course, they’re empty. He suddenly freezes. “They’re in the car. I put them in the glove box.”