“That was . . . brilliant.” Tamryn ran her hands lightly over Linda’s shoulders. “You never said where you were headed. I’ve got a spare room. Not that I’d want you to sleep there.”

“What about that doctor boyfriend of yours? The one you said you were going to marry?”

Tamryn shrugged. “He travels a lot.”

Linda’s felt her smile dim as her core awareness returned fully to her body. She felt slightly ill and knew she could take no pride in the pink flush spilling across Tamryn’s chest. “That’s really not my scene. Even if I am bound for the bush. And that’s a sentence that in the U.S. would make most laugh.”

“Well, that’s a real shame.” Tamryn once again pushed back her hair, then quickly redid her blouse buttons. “I’m less curious than I was about some things and even more curious than ever about others.”

“I’m sure you’ll find someone to help you with the rest of your research.” Linda’s dry tone seemed lost on Tamryn, who nodded seriously.

“I think I will. Meanwhile, thank you. You’re really beau—”

“You’re welcome. I’ll leave you to your research—and the loo.”

Tamryn fiddled in her handbag, then handed Linda a business card. “If you get down Dunedin way . . .”

“Sure,” Linda said, tucking the card in her pocket. She slipped out of the stall and heard Tamryn click it locked behind her. Backpack slung over one shoulder, she scrubbed her hands clean then departed the restroom. On the way out she flicked Tamryn’s business card into the bin.

Her plan had been to walk out the front door of the airport and keep going. She’d find a ride to some place small and keep going. On her left, at the far end of the ticketing area, was a display of local tours. She walked that direction then stared at the brochure with bungalows set on a beautiful lagoon. For the longest time she couldn’t breathe in.

She hadn’t even wanted to touch Tamryn. And she hadn’t touched Tamryn, not with any part of her that was capable of feeling anything. It had been just like all the other times.

Except, of course, Marissa.

Whatever it was she’d found with Marissa, whatever it was that had stayed and felt the pleasure of Marissa’s touch, it was gone now. Could she only get it back with Marissa? Well, Dr. Kirkland with all the answers, what kind of breakthrough was that?

Walk out the front door, and keep going—that was the plan. It was the safest thing to do. That was what she’d always done in the past. But you can’t get to the future through the past, she told herself. You get to the future by living the present, Dr. Kirkland had said.

She turned to the ticket counters, heart pounding. She wasn’t strong, she was scared. She wanted to be safe but suddenly safe didn’t seem to be what she’d always thought it was.

Linda knew there was only one route that would take her to a future she suddenly, desperately wanted to have. She put down a credit card, knowing that her mother’s lawyers would quickly find out she’d used it. By the time they figured out where she was going it wouldn’t matter. She’d be where she needed to be.