“I think I’m going to go for a shower, and go to bed. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to sleep or not, but my head’s a mess,” I say.
“I’ve got work, so I should head off,” Dylan says.
“Mom, can Dylan stay, please?” I beg. I haven’t even asked Dylan if he can stay, but I need him close.
“No, that’s not a good idea,” Dylan replies. I look to him, hurt he’d want to dismiss me so quickly.
“Good night. Thank you for your help, Dylan.” Dad shakes Dylan’s hand before heading up to bed.
“Thank you for being here for Molly.” Mom gives Dylan a kiss on the cheek and follows Dad.
“You don’t want to stay?” I ask.
Dylan links our fingers together and leads us out to the foyer. “Tonight isn’t the time or place for me to stay. Your family is going through a lot, and to have me staying, especially considering you didn’t clear it with your parents first isn’t right. I know you’re emotional, and I’d love to stay so I can protect and comfort you, but this isn’t how it should be done.”
He’s right. Springing something like this on my parents isn’t the most appropriate thing right now. “I’m sorry I dragged you into this.”
“It means a lot to me to know that when you need me, you’ll call me.”
“Thank you.” I reach up and give him a kiss.
“Good night.” He kisses my nose, opens the front door, and walks to his car.
I watch as he drives away. My heart is completely shattered by tonight’s events with Tina. But also full, because Dylan was so wonderful and supportive.
I think I’m falling for him.
Clutching my boarding pass in my hand, I nervously look toward Dylan.
“Are you okay?” he asks. I nod, and smile weakly. “You have flown before, right?”
“Yeah, to go on vacation with my family.” I think about Tina and where she is. Sadness overtakes my nervousness about flying, and I feel like someone’s ripped my heart out of my chest, stomped on it, and left it to rot.
“This way to the Delta Sky Club,” Dylan says as he guides me along the wide corridor.
We get into the Sky Club, and I instantly relax against one of the beautiful leather chairs. I look out the window, watching as planes taxi on the runway. “This is relaxing,” I say as I watch.
“What is?”
“Watching the planes fly in. Then watching them go out, and wait their turn to take off and go. It’s almost like a well-rehearsed ballet. It’s calming.”
“Tell me what’s happening with Tina.”
I feel my eyes water, but I hold it together. “She hasn’t spoken to any of us. But we keep persisting. It’s been eight days since she left, and I feel like a part of me is missing. I wish she’d come back.”
“As long as he…”
My phone rings, and I look down at the screen. “It’s Tina,” I say. “I have to take it.”
“Go ahead.”
“Hello?” I answer the phone, too excited to hear from her. Please, tell me he hasn’t hurt you.
“If you people don’t back off, I’m getting a restraining order against you and your parents,” she says in an eerily flat voice.
“Tina, we can talk about this. We just want you safe. Please, come home.”
“I’m warning you, Molly. This is your only chance. Back off or you’ll regret it.” She hangs up.
I look at my phone, and see the call’s been dropped. I instantly call her back, and it goes to voicemail. “Shit,” I groan.
“What happened?” Dylan asks.
“Hang on.” I hold a finger up, and call Mom. She picks up immediately. “Mom.”
“I thought you’d be on the plane by now.”
“Not yet. But Tina just called me.”
“Did she? Is she okay? Does she need anything?” Mom sounds frantic.
“Mom, she threatened us.”
“What? Wh-wh-what do you mean?”
“She said we have to back off or she’ll get a restraining order against all of us.”
Dylan’s face drops. It’s obvious he’s hurting for me. For how Tina is treating us.
“Molly, I’m so sorry she called and said that to you. Look, your Dad, and I have it under control. You have a nice night with Dylan, and we’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
“Okay, Mom. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Hanging up, I stare at my phone. I can feel Dylan’s eyes boring onto me. “I’m sorry, sweetheart,” he says. “This is a terrible time for you.” He takes a deep breath. “But I promise to try and make today as fun as possible. When we land, I’ve got to go to the office, but I should be finished by about four. I have dinner planned for us.”
“You do?” I ask. I’m happily surprised. Dylan has a way of making me feel something other than the sadness I feel for Tina.
“I do.”
“Oh.” Now I’m worried. “Do I need to go and buy anything to wear?”
“No. Like I said, I’ve organized it.” He smiles cheekily. “I should be back at the hotel by no later than four-thirty, then we’ll head out for dinner about six. Oh, I need you at the hotel by three-thirty.”
“What? Why? I thought I was going to the Smithsonian.”
“You are.” He looks at his watch. The light reflects off the solid silver band. The black face and silver hands catch my attention. I can’t help but stare at the beautiful watch. “We’ll be landing by seven-thirty, and by the time we get the car and get to the hotel, it’ll be shortly before nine. Plenty of time for you to explore the Smithsonian.”
“Do you know how big that place is? Although I’ve never been, I know plenty of people who have. And one day isn’t enough.”
“How about I promise to bring you back. And we can do all the Smithsonian museums next time we’re in Washington.”
“Hmm.” I narrow my eyes at him. “Pinky promise, and I’ll make sure I’m back at the hotel by three-thirty.”
“Pinky promise it is.” He holds his pinky out.
“You know, you can’t break a pinky promise.”
“I have no intention of foolishly violating something so sacred,” he teases. He’s managed to get my mind off of Tina and her threats. We link pinkies together, and shake. “It’s time to board. I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ignore you on the plane. I’ve still got a lot of work I need to get done.”
“Ignore away. I’ve got my Kindle fully stocked with books.”
They announce our plane’s boarding.
Standing, we head toward the gate. Absentmindedly I find I’m twirling Tina’s pendant between my finger. Although I’m worried about Tina, in this moment, I’m really happy with how Dylan and I are working out.
Opening the door to our hotel room, I walk in and collapse on the bed. The Smithsonian was interesting, but huge. I knew it was big, but I can’t believe how large it is. I can’t wait to return to see it at a more leisurely pace, and with Dylan.