To her credit, Cat didn’t miss a beat. “Sarah loves her Sunflowers,” she said, saving me and being a condescending cow in the same breath.

My level of angst increased as the ridiculous conversation went on. James didn’t seem to notice—or if he did, he was an excellent actor. “So she said. I’m glad she’ll get to see it before she goes home. And, I’ll make sure to put it on the itinerary when she’s here next.”

Well, that shut her up. Cat’s mouth formed a perfect O and her eyebrows nearly leapt passed her hairline.

After a moment of rare silence from my little sister, she just smiled and said, “How lovely.” Then she seemed to come to her senses. “Well, I’ll just take this upstairs and leave you two to … leave you two alone.”

James leant down and kissed her cheek again. “So lovely to have met you, Cat.”

I think she blushed. “And you, James. Bye.”

“Goodbye.” She turned back towards me, her eyes wide with approval and a silly grin on her face, and left James and me to say goodbye.

I walked over to him and reached up for a hug. He wrapped his arms around me. “I think you know how much I hate this part,” I said, my voice muffled by his chest.

“Me too, darling.” We stood like that for some time.

I pulled away, keeping my arms around his neck. “Kiss me.” He did, sweetly. When the kiss ended, I said, “I need to go inside now and not see you drive away. Okay?”

He just nodded, the sheen of tears in his eyes. “Goodbye, Sarah.” I stood on my toes and pressed my mouth to his. Then before I could drag it out any longer, I turned and walked into the building. I pressed the button for the elevator several times, impatient for it to come and take me away—away from where I knew James was still standing and watching me.

It finally arrived with a “ding” and I chanced a glance outside. He raised a hand and I raised mine. Then I stepped into the elevator and dissolved into tears.

Like I said, goodbyes suck. They’re even harder than lying.

Chapter 9

Cat was waiting for me with the front door open and even though she is a tiny woman, she threw her arms around me and enveloped me in a huge hug. I boo-hooed for a good couple of minutes before I let her go.

“Come inside,” she said. “We don’t want to scare the neighbours.” It wasn’t even that funny, but it had the desired effect and I smiled a little as I wiped tears and snot from my face.

“You didn’t let him see you looking like this, did you?” asked my not-so-subtle sister.

“No,” I wailed. “I was very dignified. I waited until I got in the elevator.”

I followed Cat into the living room, and I could hear the kettle boiling, so I knew tea was on its way. I love my little sister.