Mark had called this morning and she’d answered her phone out of habit. She let him talk and she listened. But it wasn’t his pleas to rethink their engagement that had convinced her to stay with him. It was the vintage clothing in her suitcase and Judy’s bucket list, and every other list stashed in her sister’s hatbox. After just seven days on a road trip cross-country and one night of intimacy with Dylan, she was about to forsake Judy’s dreams and for what? A little bit of fun with a guy she’d just met? Another chance to be bold and daring like she used to be pre-Judy? Pursue a life she’d sworn for years to put on hold because she owed her sister? Joy didn’t go back on her promises or renege on her commitments. She reasoned if she was so quick to give up on Judy’s dreams and goals that she had to be feeling the same about Mark, which meant she wouldn’t forgo either. This road trip had muddled her emotions. She was conflicted, that was all.

She owed it to Judy to finish her lists. She belonged with Mark.

Dylan’s face fell. He averted his gaze. Joy felt her rejection of him in the way his body softened under hers, as though hope had abandoned him. But Joy didn’t make rash decisions, no matter the consequences, not anymore. And abandoning a man she’d devoted the past few years to for one she’d only known for a week would be the second most rash decision she’d made.

“We have a deal, Dylan,” she implored. “I know what I said earlier, but please, can we honor it?”

His eyes flashed with renewed determination. His brows drew in. “Then give me these last three nights, Joy. Stay with me in Chicago. I’ll book us a suite. We’ll order room service and stay in except when I have a gig. Just be with me. Please.”

A tear trickled over her nose. She inhaled a shaky breath. “Okay.”

CHAPTER 29

CHAPTER 29

BEFORE

Dylan

Chicago, Illinois

“This is anticlimactic,” Dylan said. He stared up at the battered brown sign screwed into a lamppost on Jackson Boulevard. END HISTORIC US ROUTE 66. Considering the miles they’d driven and everything they’d shared, the marker was a bit of a letdown.

He’d dreaded this trip. Now he didn’t want it to end. If only they could stop time and exist in this bubble.

He reached for Joy’s hand, thinking nothing of it. She laced her fingers with his and the simple gesture felt natural.

“I feel like there should be fireworks or something,” she said.

Something for sure.

“We could kiss.” He waggled his brows.

She laughed. “You’ll get no argument from me.”