She slipped her hand out of his and nodded at the gate. “You should go.”

He didn’t move for a moment, but then took a small step back, turning toward the gate.

Then he jumped back, grabbed her around the waist, and kissed her.

She looped her arms around his neck, letting the fingers of her good hand tangle in his hair. He pulled her closer, until her body was pressed to his.

She’d almost wanted him not to kiss her, because she didn’t want to know how great it would be. It almost seemed better to just wonder, instead of knowing for sure exactly what she’d be missing when he was gone.

Now she knew. She knew the feel of his lips against hers, the warmth of his hand pressed against her back, the way he kissed her like it was the only thing in the world he’d ever wanted to do.

She wasn’t sorry that she knew, but she was going to miss him so much more now. She was going to miss everything that could have been.

When he pulled away, she stepped back, because she might start kissing him again if she stayed too close.

“Go,” she said.

“I…” He looked over his shoulder.

“Seriously, go,” she said with a laugh. “You’re making me nervous.”

His lips curved into a sad half-smile. He nodded, and took a step back.

“Bye, Maisie.”

He turned and walked to the gate.

LENNON

THE GATE OPENED as Lennon approached it. It slid open slowly, and his heart pounded as it did.

The first thing he saw was the man in the hazmat suit.

Behind him was the secondary gate, the chain-link fence in front of the Q gate.

Beyond that was wide-open space, and then a sea of reporters. Lights flashed furiously.

Farther back, a crowd of spectators were gathered behind yet another fence. They held signs of support. A giant countdown clock had been set up, like this was some kind of sporting event. He looked away, uncomfortable.

The man in the hazmat suit approached him with a swab. “Open your mouth,” he ordered. Lennon did.

He swabbed his cheek, and then turned and walked to a cart with an open testing kit in it.

Lennon glanced over his shoulder. Maisie stood only a few paces back, looking out at the flashing lights.

“Mr. Pierce,” the man in the hazmat suit said. Lennon returned his attention to him. “Your results will just take a minute. In the meantime, let me explain what’s going to happen.”

Lennon nodded numbly.

“If you’re negative for the virus, you will be getting into that SUV over there.” The man pointed to the left of the reporters, where a black SUV waited.

Lennon squinted at the familiar figures. “Are those my parents?”

“Yes. Mr. Pierce, focus. If you don’t do as I say, those men over there may shoot you.”

Right. He snapped his attention back to the man.

“I have a hazmat suit for you. You cannot cross the fence until you put it on, do you understand me?”