I don’t miss her anymore.
I don’t need a single part of her.
“I gotta go, Pen.” I stand. Move closer. Plant a goodbye kiss on her cheek. “Congratulations, really.”
Her smile gets sad. “Thank you.”
I walk her to the door. “You deserve it.”
“You really mean that?”
Yeah, I do.
She tore my fucking heart out.
But it’s still beating. I’m still here. I’m still alive.
And I feel so much fucking better wanting the two of them happy.
“Are you and Leigh gonna be okay?” she asks.
“I don’t know.” I close the door behind us. “I hope so.”
“Me too.”
I walk Penny to the elevator.
I say goodbye to her.
To her hold on me.
To this whole fucking phase of my life.
This is it. The end of the Penny chapter.
I just hope it’s the beginning of the Leighton one.
No.
Hope isn’t enough.
Hope hasn’t ever done shit for me.
Somehow, I’m going to make this right.
Chapter 47
Leighton
The automatic check-in machine spits out my ticket with a loud whir.
The air conditioning hums.
A middle-aged couple hugs a twenty-something guy goodbye. They linger in their embraces, exchanging promises and I’ll miss yous and love.
Dean taps his foot against the tile. “It’s not too late.”
I wave my ticket.