Page 176 of Falling for the Grumpiest Protector

"I know."

"You'll miss your flight."

"I know."

Neither of us moves. Then he brushes his thumb along my cheek. "Call me when you land."

"I will."

I kiss him once more. Short. Because if I don't make it short, I'm going to miss the flight on purpose. I step back. His hand falls away. "I'll see you soon."

"Yeah."

I turn before I can make this harder. Halfway to my car, I look back.

Javier is still standing where I left him.

I turn and run back to him. His arms open just before I reach him, and I throw mine around his waist. He holds me tightly. I press my face against his chest. For one long moment, neither of us says anything.

Eventually, I lift my head. “I really have to go.”

“I know.”

His hand moves once over my back before he lets me go. This time, I make it to the car.

At home, I finish packing and carry my suitcase downstairs. By eleven fifteen, it’s beside the front door. The car service is supposed to be here in five minutes.

Mom hugs me first. "Call when you land."

"I will."

"And eat something."

"I own a restaurant."

"That has never stopped you from forgetting."

Noah wraps his arms around my middle. "Don't let them change Goliath."

I look down at him. "Change him how?"

"I don't know. Just don't."

"I'll protect his legacy."

"Good."

I kiss the top of his head. A car pulls up outside. Too soon. Mom reaches for the handle of my suitcase. "I've got it."

"I know." She lets me take it anyway. I hug her once more. Then Noah. "Few days," I tell him.

"Before Goliath gets rotten."

"That's the deal."

I take my suitcase outside. The driver puts it in the trunk while I look back at the house. Mom and Noah are standing together on the porch. I wave. Noah waves with both hands. I get into the back seat. The car pulls away.

Oakridge passes outside the window one familiar piece at a time. I tell myself I'm going to New York because I need to make a business decision. That's true. I tell myself I'll be back in a few days. I hope that's true.