“That’s wonderful.” I say, although I know my tone conveys the exact opposite.

“Well, it’s been a pleasure, Mr. Dawson,” Anne says, shaking Jace’s hand. With a stab of panic, I realize this is it. He’s leaving. “Your luggage has been loaded and is in the car outside. Cara can show you the way when you’re ready.”

“Okay, thank you.” Jace responds evenly. He seems to be holding it together much better than I am. He turns to my father and holds his hand out to shake. “It was a pleasure to meet you, sir. I’ll work on my chess strategy.”

My father laughs. “It was wonderful to meet you, Jace. I wish you the best with everything. I can’t tell you how grateful we are you made the trip.”

Jace turns to my mother. I’m shocked to see her step forward and give him a quick hug. “Thank you,” she tells him. “Travel safe.”

Jace smiles and nods, then turns to me expectantly. I’m frozen. I stare at him, and he stares back, and everyone else in the room stares at us.

“Perhaps we should wait in the hallway,” my father suggests tactfully.

Suddenly, everyone can’t get out of the room fast enough. We’re standing in an empty room in seconds. Jace takes a few steps closer, until he’s only inches away from me. I let myself fall forward until I’m met with the comforting support of his chest.

We stand like that. Him upright, me leaning against him. I should have had him stay at a hotel. I should have acted cold. I should have done everything I could to keep him at arm’s length. Instead, I let him in all the way this time. Not just into my heart, but into my family, into my home, into my world. And now I have to remain in it. Without him.

I know I should thank him for coming. Tell him to travel safe. Wish him luck in his game this weekend. Make a joke. Do anything to let him know I’m okay. That I’ll be okay.

Instead?

I whisper, “I love you,” against the starched cotton of his dress shirt.

His chest deflates as he lets out a sigh. “I love you too, Viv.”

I scrunch up my eyes tightly, trying to memorize this moment. I never want to forget the sound of Jace Dawson saying those five precious words to me.

There’s nothing left to say, so I pull back. I can’t look at his face. One glimpse of slate-colored concern, and I’ll break. I’ll beg him to stay, and I love him too much to let him do that. So instead, I study the grooves in the hardwood floor as I listen to Jace walk away. The door opens and closes, and then there’s total silence. I take several unsteady steps back, until I encounter the sturdy wall. I let myself slide down against it, staying partially upright even though I want nothing more than to just curl up in a ball on the floor.