“I’ll see you all soon.” I have said everything I needed to and turn to walk out of the office. I don’t wait to hear any of their replies because I am all talked out.

As I climb into the backseat of the town car I ordered with my bag, I greet the driver.

“Heathrow Airport, please.”

He nods in the mirror at me, and the car pulls away from the curb and into the morning London traffic. I sag into the back seat and start working on my laptop. Just because I’m not physically in the office, they should know better than to think I won’t be working.

* * *

Looking out the window of the commercial jumbo jet as it pushes away from the terminal, I hear the captain start speaking through the speakers.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the seat belt sign is now activated, and we should be ready for take-off shortly. With a flight time of eight hours and forty-five minutes, we should be landing in Chicago at 7:15 am Monday morning, local time. Sit back and enjoy your flight.”

The noise and vibration of the plane is soothing, and although I haven’t flown commercial for a long time, first class still gives me room to be alone, for which I’m thankful.

With my phone in my hands, I glance at it one last time, longing for a message from Harper but knowing there won’t be one.

I haven’t sent her one either, but I don’t think I need to. I laid out to her how I felt, and now I have to sit back and wait.

And that requires patience, which I have none of, so this could be interesting.

Turning on airplane mode feels like I’ve stopped breathing, because for a short time, I’m out of contact, and that is going to kill me. Because if something happens to her in that time, I’ll never forgive myself.

And that’s why I’m on this plane, because I can’t let her live like this, always looking over her shoulder, and neither can I.

HARPER

“Come in,” I grumble at the knock at my door.

I’ve only been here just under an hour and it already feels like it’s been days.

“A delivery for you.” My secretary walks in with a coffee cup and bag with a red ribbon tied on the top of it.

“From?” I snap at her. I don’t need surprises today.

She shrugs her shoulders and then quickly leaves my office.

Untying the ribbon and opening the bag, the smell goes straight up my nose, and my stomach growls in response, reminding me that I skipped breakfast this morning.

I pull out a cardboard takeaway box with a message written on the top of it.

For you, cupcake.

Breakfast and coffee.

Eat it, or else.

Forrest x