I Never Let You Go (I Never 3)

I don’t know if it’s the landing that has my heart racing and my stomach in knots or deciding to get the man I love. Nerves began to kick in sometime over Chicago, I think. Or maybe they have just always been there, but the closer I got to the West Coast, the more the reality of what I was doing set in.

What if he’s not happy to see me?

What if he can’t forgive me for saying no?

What if when he said, “so this is it,” he meant this is it for us?

Once the plane comes to a complete stop at the gate, and the fasten your seat belt sign is no longer lit, I feel like I can finally breathe. My new friend is the first to stand. I tilt my head side to side to stretch before taking another look outside the window. I jump when I feel a soft touch on my hand. Her older skin, while cold on mine, has a comforting touch.

“You’ve got this, sweetheart. Good luck.”

I don’t know what it was about her that made me feel comfortable enough to spill my guts to a stranger, but she listened and didn’t judge my decisions. I give her a soft smile and stand.

“Thank you,” I say before I readjust my clothing and stretch again. I feel as though I’ve been traveling nonstop for days, but it was just a six-hour flight. I’ll stop in the bathroom and freshen up a little, even though Finn has seen me at my worst moments.

She walks down the aisle, and I follow suit after reaching for my carry-on bag.

“Have a great day, and welcome to Seattle,” the stewardess greets me as I exit the plane, and I smile at her. Time to get my man.

I follow the signs to the baggage claim area, and as I wait for my suitcase, I pull my phone out of my purse and text Kate.

Me: Landed in Seattle. Waiting for my bag.

Kate: You nervous?

Me: A little? What if he’s changed his mind and isn’t happy to see me?

Kate: He won’t. That boy h

as loved you forever. He’s your lobster. *wink face*

Me: I think you watch a little too much Friends.

Kate: Stop with the crazy talk!

Me: What, that he won’t be happy?

Kate: No! That I watch too much Friends lol

Me: *eye roll emoji*

Kate: But in all seriousness, stop worrying. It will all be okay. Now go get your man and tell him I say hi.

Kate: Oh, and to take care of my baby sis, or I’ll kick his ass.

I smirk. My sister might be a little crazy, but I love her anyway. We may be identical but have two very different personalities. Her loud and outspoken personality evens out my mellow and reserved one.

I brought one large bag along with my carry-on bag. Kate agreed that she would enlist our brother in helping her pack up and ship the rest of my stuff. As soon as I see my bag, I run toward the conveyor and grab it.

Once outside, I take a moment and breathe in the fresh air. I follow the signs that lead me to the plethora of taxis and grab an open one. The driver helps me put my bag in the trunk, and I take a seat in the back.

“Where to, miss?”

“Home,” I mutter to myself, not planning for the driver to hear me.

He chuckles. “Well, you may need to be a little more specific. I’m not sure where home is.”

“Oh right, sorry, I’m just a little nervous.” I give him the address to Finn’s apartment building. I remember our brief trip out here after he first accepted the position to search for an apartment. We found the perfect place not far from his new office: a one-bedroom, open-concept apartment with beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows and a breakfast bar that I could envision us sitting at when I visited, enjoying coffee.