“I have to go find my brother. I’ll be right back.” She was gone before anyone could say anything about her strange behavior.
At least she got my message, and I didn’t have to say it out loud. Who knew if anyone was listening or watching or using magic to tap into our minds? I was becoming seriously paranoid.
Trent arrived and sat next to me. He dropped a kiss onto my cheek, then took my hand. “I just talked to Whitney. You’re coming over today?” he asked.
“Yeah.” I nodded.
A weird, unexpected and unwanted sense of sadness crept through my veins. It felt like forever since it had been just me and Trent, which was crazy because we’d just spent all last weekend together. Still, I missed the days we spent hiding out in his cabin and our time in Malibu. Things had been so much simpler back then. Of course, back then, I’d thought it was all terrible and that my life was over.
Sighing, I rested my head on his shoulder. I couldn’t wait for our honeymoon. Even though I had no idea what he had planned, I didn’t care as long as it was just the two of us. I craved more alone time with him.
When lunch was over, Trent and I walked toward our lockers. “You’re quiet. What’s wrong?” he asked.
I pressed my back against my locker. “I’m just tired. I want all this stuff to be over. I want Abby to be happy again. I want to know Isach will be okay. And I miss us.” I clutched the front of his shirt and tugged him closer.
He flattened his palms on the locker above my head. “You miss us?” His voice was low and husky, and a teasing smile flirted with the corner of his mouth. “We’ve seen each other every day this week.”
“I know,” I whispered. “But I miss having you all to myself. I want it to be just us again, just for a little while.” I fidgeted with the collar of his shirt, then snaked my arms around his neck. “Forget it. I guess I’m just in a weird mood.”
Trent captured my lips in a searing kiss as his hands slowly encircled my waist, effectively pinning me between his body and my locker. The rush of students, the excited chatter, the obnoxious bell ringing… it all faded away, and I was lost in Trent.
He broke away, his eyes dark and lustful. “Just a few more months,” he said.
“I’m not sure I can wait that long.” I frowned.
I wished I could explain it in a way that made sense. It wasn’t just being near him—it was the feeling of complete peace and happiness and contentment that I missed. The serenity of not needing to go anywhere or worry about anything. I wanted those quiet moments where we could just… be. The intimate conversations and the hope as we planned our future. The private jokes and teasing that he only ever did when we were alone.
Tears pooled in my eyes, and I blinked them away. Or rather, I tried, but they fell regardless. Trent wiped my cheeks with his thumbs.
“Sorry.” I laughed. “I have no idea what’s wrong with me today.”
Without a word, he placed a lingering kiss on my forehead, and my eyes fluttered closed. The hallway was mostly empty now, and if I didn’t hurry, I’d be late to class. I was still serving detention for Mr. Gordon; I didn’t need to get more from a different teacher. Trent walked me to class, and I got there just as Miss Prescott was closing the door.
I took my seat and stared out the window. Where had this sudden melancholy come from? And what was up with the intense nostalgia? Maybe it was all the stress. My brain was trying to tell me I needed to rest. Maybe, like Abby, I’d reached my breaking point, too.
Propping my elbow on the desk, I rested my chin in my hand.
Trent hadn’t said much at my locker. He probably thought I was being moody or overly emotional. Maybe he was right. There was no way I could make him understand, though. I’d just have to tell him when we were in the moment. Hopefully, that time would come on our honeymoon.
Where was he taking me? Somewhere warm? Warm meant sunshine, though, and that would be uncomfortable for him. Maybe we’d go somewhere cold so we’d have to snuggle to stay warm. That thought brought a smile to my face. Of course, we needed to get married before any of that.
The plans were pretty much all set. Whitney and Ellie had taken charge of everything, and I wasn’t complaining. The girls still needed to buy bridesmaid dresses. We should do that next weekend. I’d have to suggest that to them.
Aunt Beth had secured a Justice of the Peace to officiate the ceremony—a personal friend of hers from Lake Placid.
Trent and I hadn’t talked about the actual ceremony and if we were going to say our own vows or not. When Aunt Beth had asked me, I’d told her no, but now I wasn’t so sure.
Part of me wanted to tell Trent myself exactly how much I loved him and how I was going to devote my life to only him. But if I did that, then he’d have to write his own vows, too, and that was a disaster waiting to happen. I’d be a sobbing, blubbering mess with makeup streaking down my face. I wasn’t so sure that was the best way to kick off our wedding day.
But I was curious to hear what he’d say. I was sure it would be beautiful and heartfelt, whereas mine would probably be rambling and nonsensical. Might be worth it, though.
It wasn’t every day I got married, and I wanted it to be memorable. After all, our wedding was the last thing on my human bucket list—after Trent
