Page 97 of Unforgettable
She paused only once in the center of the room, her gaze moving slowly across the space that had held her for so long.
“You were safe,” she said softly. But it’s not the same as living.
Her phone rang and she didn’t answer. Because for the first timeshe knew exactly what she needed to do.
She made a call to the Director of the Institute. It was brief, respectful, and final.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity,” she said. “But I need to take a different path.”
When she ended the call, she stood still for a moment, giving regret and doubt a moment to set in. Neither of them came. Instead, it was relief that filled her and warmed her soul.
Across the country, Brew stood outside the clinic, the Montana sky stretching endlessly above him.
His phone was in his hand.
This time, he didn’t hesitate. He had held off accepting the position, not knowing if he wanted to move up that high. Coming back home had been the right choice. His transition went smoothly.
“I’m calling about the position,” he said when the line connected. “I accept.”
The words settled into something solid and certain. He ended the call and looked out across the land. Toward everything he had built. Everything he was still building and continuing to expand. And the one thing he couldn’t do without, he was going for.
Randi moved quickly after that. She called a realtor for a fast appointment to list her home, hired help to pack up her cottage, rented a storage unit for all her belongings and a mover to get it there. Arrangements made with a focus that surprised even her.
Her cottage went on the market with ease.
Her life began to pack itself into something portable and ready.It all moved quickly in a matter of a few days.
At the airport, she moved with purpose with her one-way ticket in hand and the destination set.
Montana.
Back in Montana, Brew stepped into his truck, the decision already made. He didn’t call ahead and didn’t warn anyone. He didn’t pack and simply drove.
Because this time -
He wasn’t waiting. He would call his parents once he was on his plane.
Two separate paths.
Two separate decisions.
Moving toward the same place.
Without knowing the other was already on their way.
CHAPTER 24
Brew’s flight landed well before sunrise. His wristwatch noted five-ten a.m.
The tarmac was quiet and void of activity and the early hour left the air cool and still as he stepped down from the small aircraft. For a moment, he stood there, scanning the stretch of concrete as if movement alone might bring him closer to her.
He breathed in deeply and smiled. It was the beginning of a new day, a rebirth for him and the woman he loved. He was going to bring her home, if it was the last thing he would do and convince her it would be the best choice she ever made.
It just wasn’t going to happen that quickly. Urgency fogged his brain. He didn’t quite plan out theperfect time to fly out. Reality settled in, making him chuckle. There were no cars. No drivers. Nothing open at this hour. He slowly exhaled, running a hand through his hair before pulling his phone from his pocket.
You got this.
One call. A voicemail. He left instructions for a limo to retrieve him at seven, knowing it was the earliest time slot he could reserve.
