Page 62 of The Last Goodbye

How confident do you feel? Should I say anything?

I’m driving her to the airport now, but I can’t guarantee what she’ll do from there.

Gracie

You’re driving her to the airport?

Yes.

Gracie

You’re amazing, Briar. Thank you so much. You don’t know what this will mean to Jovi.

Yes, I actually do.

Happy to help. The rest is up to her.

Gracie

This will mean so much to Bass as well. Seeing his sister happy is going to make him so happy.

I quickly booked the company’s car service to pick Jenna up from the airport later tonight and then again at the hotel in the morning to drive her to the ceremony. We used them all the time for clients, and Bass Bennett was technically a client right now.

Jenna would literally just need to show up.

She hurried out the door with her bag in hand. I stepped out and opened the trunk, and we placed the suitcase inside.

The drive to the city was quiet at first, and then she spoke. “Why are you doing this? Are you dating Bass?”

“Oh my gosh, no. I mean, we work together. Nothing more.”

“Well, you’re an angel. You just made the impossible possible,” she said.

I glanced over at her as we stopped at a red light, and she swiped at her cheek as she stared out the window.

I could tell she was hurting. I didn’t know all the details or dynamics that were going on, but she was definitely in pain.

“I’m happy to help. One step at a time, Jenna, okay? You’re doing a really good thing.”

She sniffed. “I packed this dress that I have, it’s always been Jovi’s favorite of mine. It’s been a while since I’ve dressed up.”

“Well, this is the perfect occasion.”

We made a little small talk before we pulled into passenger departures at the airport.

“I don’t have much time, do I? Do you think I’ll make it to the gate?” she asked.

I jumped out of the car and grabbed her carry-on. “You’ll make it if you hurry. I texted you your boarding pass, and the hotel info. There’s a driver picking you up when you land at the airport, and he knows what hotel to take you to. He’ll also pick you up in the morning from the hotel to take you to the graduation. Go and see your daughter walk across that stage and get her diploma.”

My chest was tight. It physically hurt me that my mother hadn’t been there to see me graduate. She’d talked about it for years, and I knew it would have meant so much to her.

But at least I could help Jenna watch Jovi on her special day.

“I don’t know why you’re doing this.” She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me. “But thank you.”

I pulled back, blinking a few times because it was all so unexpected. I couldn’t believe we were actually here. “Go. You’re cutting it very close. Your boarding pass is in the text.”

“Got it. Thank you, Briar.”