Page 65 of Only After We Met

“It makes me sad that you’re going. I know it shouldn’t…”

The words were silenced as his lips crashed into mine. The kiss tasted like something. I don’t know what. Like goodbyes. But also like something sweet and pretty. Like one of the many paragraph breaks in our lives, the ones we hadn’t even started to count yet.

I held my breath when we separated.

I saw his expression. His desire. His doubts.

He bent over. His mouth touched my lips.

“Don’t wait for me, Ginger.”

Five words. Five words that pierced me. That hurt. But I understood. That was the last thing Rhys said to me that cold morning before turning around and walking away. I stayed there a few seconds watching him as he waited at the back of the line. Then I turned around too and walked off without looking back.

Part 2

Trust. Pause. Abyss.

“Straight ahead of him, nobody can go very far…”

The Little Prince

34

From: Rhys Baker

To: Ginger Davies

Subject: I’m still alive

My flight got delayed, and then arriving was this huge ordeal. It took me almost half a day to get the car keys I needed because of some bullshit with my license. Anyway… I’m here, I’m alive. I don’t know if I told you, but I rented a house by the sea. It’s a little old, and it needs some urgent repairs, it’s almost falling apart, but the place… I wish you could see the sunset with your own eyes, Ginger…

From: Rhys Baker

To: Ginger Davies

Subject: I’m still alive

Is everything okay, Ginger?

I haven’t heard anything from you…

From: Ginger Davies

To: Rhys Baker

Subject: Me too!

Sorry, these days have been a little chaotic with last-minute Christmas shopping, holiday meals, enough cards to paper a bedroom, and family stuff in general. You know how it goes. I’m glad you made it in okay, Rhys.

By the way, don’t forget to send my song.

I want to hear it again…

From: Rhys Baker

To: Ginger Davies

Subject: Ginger’s song