I tossed my waves up into a messy bun before tugging on an oversized fleece I’d borrowed from Mattie. Something like homesickness washed over me as I toyed with the soft green collar. My sister would be sad to see me go, but she definitely wouldn’t be upset about the fact that I could no longer raid her closet on a daily basis.

Before I walked out of the bedroom I’d hardly spent time in lately, I paused in the doorway to take it in for a second. It was funny how sentimental big changes could make you. This was just my sister’s guest bedroom, but when I looked at the worn quilt and the ancient wood side tables, all I could see was how relieved I’d been to rest my head here when I’d first gotten here. It had been a safety net amidst the unraveling of my life.

I sprinted up the basement stairs and through the house, stalling to say a quick goodbye to Giles and Mattie, who were curled up on the couch watching a movie, before stepping outside. The front porch light switched on even though the sun hadn’t completely set yet. I hugged my arms around me. It was the warmest night I could remember since arriving here. But the crispness of the mountain air still hovered.

Taking a deep breath in, I perched on the front step, waiting for Oliver to pick me up.

He’d dropped his mom off at the airport earlier, and while we’d still managed to see each other plenty during her short visit, I was excited to have him all to myself tonight and tomorrow. While it was clear his relationship with his mom was still strained, and of course they’d bickered a little, I could sense a grain of relief in his demeanor. He was different. Released. When I told him again how proud of him I was for talking it out with her, he’d said he wasn’t sure if he could have done it without me. I flushed at the memory. That alone filled me with more pride than landing any job ever could.

Headlights shone into the driveway, and I leapt up. Oliver jumped out of the car as soon as it was in park. I crashed into him. He laced his arms around me, holding me tightly as I inhaled the scent that clung to his sweatshirt.

“How many times do I have to tell you? I’ll come to the door.” Oliver pulled back a little, taking me in.

“I like waiting outside.” I stood on my tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his lips.

We got into his car. I immediately went for the radio, turning it to one of the only two stations that came through. Our windows were both rolled down, the wind snaking through the car as he drove us down a few different residential streets.

The song playing in the background wasn’t one I particularly liked, yet it fit the moment perfectly. I pulled out my phone to write it down. I needed mementos to bottle this feeling.