He looks up at me. His expression is remorseful but his voice is even, confident. "My mom... this has been an inevitability for ever. And I'm not different. One day, it will be me in that hospital. And I don't want your heart breaking when you hear that message."
"Kit."
He shakes his head. "I've been kidding myself. This is what happens to people like us. I can't do that to you."
"But—"
"I can't take away your spark, Piper." He swallows hard. "I'm sorry, but this is how it has to be." He moves closer. He pulls me into his arms and plants a goodbye kiss on my lips.
I'm not sure how I know it's goodbye, but I do.
When he releases me, he goes straight to the door.
Then he's gone.
Chapter 32
Kit
I barely make it to the airport in time for the last LAX to SFO flight.
This close to midnight, security isn't bad. Or maybe it's that I don't have luggage. Even so, I get into my seat minutes before final boarding call.
I'm not at all aware of my surroundings. My thoughts are stuck on Piper, on the pain that filled her gorgeous blue eyes, like her heart was breaking in front of me.
God, how I want her here.
How I wish she was in the seat next to mine.
But the hurt on her face was nothing compared to what it would be, one day.
At least the guy sitting here, some suit typing away on his laptop, isn't trying to make conversation.
I'm in a daze all through take off. Slowly, the realization settles in.
Piper isn't mine anymore.
I can't hold her anymore.
Can't make her laugh anymore.
Can't make her come anymore.
The thought guts me, but I know it's what's right. For both of us.
Chapter 33
Piper
I manage to drag myself to the shower. I manage to wash up, dry off, get into my pajamas, and collapse in bed.
I'm tired, but it's not the kind of tired that encourages sleep. Every part of me hurts. And, worse, I keep thinking about how much Kit must hurt.
He's alone with everything.
Maybe I'm pathetic or desperate. Maybe I should hate him for ending things so abruptly. Maybe I really am a naive nice girl who doesn't realize how awful the world is.
But what I really want right now, is to do something to help ease this burden off his shoulders.