The Year of Second Chances (A Sunnyvale Novel Book 3) (21 page)

BOOK: The Year of Second Chances (A Sunnyvale Novel Book 3)

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“Perfection doesn’t exist,” I say. But I seriously want to kiss him for saying that.

So, I do. I press my lips to his and kiss him deeply as I slide my leg across his lap.

“So those are the magic words to get your attention, huh?” he teases, his lips brushing mine.

I playfully pinch his side, and a soft chuckle escapes his lips before he dives in for another kiss. I part my lips for him and our tongues tangle as I slide my fingers through his hair. His hands find the small of my back, and he urges me closer. We take things slowly at first, but then he lays me back on the sofa and covers his body over mine. Clothes get stripped. Hands wander. My body reacts to his every touch. It’s the most amazing moment. All moments with him are, though.

About a half an hour later, we kiss one last time before heading outside. We get into the car and drive toward the airport. Kai holds my hand the entire way, stroking my palm, letting me know he’s there for me.

Thirty minutes later, we’re standing in the airport near the baggage claim, waiting for my mom.

“Would you hold still,” Kai teases, slipping his arms around my waist. “You’re worse than a little kid.”

“I’m sorry.” But I continue bouncing on my toes, nervous, restless, and worried. “But what if I don’t recognize her and what if she…” I trail off at the sight of a woman with long brown hair and the brightest green eyes I’ve ever seen. It’s like looking into a mirror of twenty years into my future and without second guessing myself, I know. “There she is.”

Our gazes collide, and I tentatively smile, wondering how I could’ve been so worried that she wouldn’t recognize me. Kai lets me go, and I start to walk to her, moving slowly at first, but then I quicken my pace. When I reach her, we both throw our arms around each other and start to cry.

“You’re so beautiful,” she says, hugging me tightly. “I can’t believe I’m actually hugging you.”

“Me either.” I’ve never hugged someone this much in my life, and I never want it to end. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

“I can’t believe it either,” she chokes up. “I just wish we didn’t miss so many years together.”

“Me either,” I say, my heart aching for her, for every moment stolen from her life. But trying to me optimistic, I add, “We have a lot more ahead of us, though.”

She pulls back and looks me in the eye, a faint smile gracing her lips. “You’re just like how I remembered. My brave, superhero girl.”

“Superhero girl?” I ask, my head tilting to the side.

“It’s what I used to call you,” she explains. “You used to wear this cape around and pretend you were a superhero. It was partly my fault, though. I had this obsession with comics.”

I don’t know how to react. All this time I wondered where I came from, how I became who I was, and feeling like the oddball of my family. But I guess I wasn’t always that way.

“Will you tell me more about how things used to be?” I ask. “I want to know everything.”

She smiles warmly. “Of course. And I want to hear all about you.”

I nod, and then we head for the baggage claim together. Kai joins us, slipping his fingers through mine. I suddenly find myself wanting to retract my earlier comment about perfection. Maybe it does exist sometimes. I just have to take the chance to let those moments happen. And appreciate that I’m here to enjoy them.

About the Author

Jessica Sorensen is a
New York Times
and
USA Today
bestselling author who lives in the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

Other books by Jessica Sorensen:

Broken City Series:

Nameless

Forsaken

Oblivion (coming soon)

Entranced Series:

Entranced

Entangled

Enchanted (coming soon)

Rebels & Misfits Series:

Confessions of a Kleptomaniac

Honeyton Series: