Status Updates From Cross My Heart

For a minute he just looked at her, and Jenna wondered how she could have believed even for a second that she could live without him. He slipped the ring out of the box and took her left hand in both of his. “Is that a yes, Jenna? Will you marry me?” There was a squeak—nothing more. A tiny squeak of excitement.

She hesitated. “Would you kiss me goodbye?” He couldn’t have said no to save his life. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her softly, slowly. He savored the taste of her, the scent of her, knowing it was the last time. He pulled her closer, until he could feel her heart pounding against his. And then he let her go.

It wouldn’t hurt so much if he could believe she missed him as much as he missed her. Not being with her was a hundred times more painful than he’d imagined. It felt like a part of him was missing—a part Jenna had taken with her without even realizing it. And he didn’t know how to get it back.