“Trust me, it’s more picturesque this way. Now we’ll both always be able to look back on this week like, damn, what a time I had with that sexy-ass bombshell. If only we’d started dating! And simultaneously be able to live our normal lives and go on pursuing true happiness.”

“True happiness…” He shakes his head. “Disagree, that doesn’t feel more picturesque.”

I sit back on the cord with him. “Okay, let’s walk this through a little further, Zarar. If you go into acting next, maybe I see you on a poster years from now. And then I’ll make sure to go to the premiere, because whoa, there’s that guy I had this great little whirlwind with for those seven days at a random retreat in Colorado. And I’ll get dressed up in fancy overalls and wait outside along the red carpet for you to arrive and our eyes will meet and we’ll have this amazing reunion. You’ll either be married with a family or divorced, and we’ll either go for coffee and reconnect and agree to be friends, or have sex in a closet on our first date. The possibilities are endless. Isn’t that exactly the brand of love story you’re looking for?”

He holds my gaze, and I bob my chin knowingly as his eyes give him away. “Epic love stories take time, Z. They take dedication to time apart.”

He raises his eyebrows. “What if that doesn’t happen?”

I lean forward, grab his chin, and pull his face to mine. He melts into the kiss, running his hand up my neck as he deepens it. The guy tastes like fresh air.

I break away feeling deliciously floaty. “Then we’ll always have that kiss.” I hop off the bungee cord to grab my stuff.

He watches me pack my things with a distinctly bemused expression. It’s so cute, I can’t help laughing.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Because I like you.” I throw my backpack over my shoulder and stand.

Zarar stays calmly seated on the cord. “You’re still not going to give me your number?”

“We’re playing the long game, Zarar.” I pull on my hat and start off toward the cafeteria.

27. Angst and Hikes

SIRI

September 3, Thursday Morning

Colorado

I am not ready to go home yet.

I’m not prepared for the harsh reality of New Jersey. I’m not ready to face my lying mother tonight when the plane lands at Newark airport. I can’t go back there right now! Not like this. Not while I’m still floundering. I’ve had an ample amount of alone time to try to find my new path these past three days. I’ve dutifully attended the standing appointment with Donya. (Jamie did not.) But I still haven’t figured out the answer. I still don’t know what’s next.