Chapter 177
Chapter 177
Katie
Finals week hit like a freight train—three papers in four days, plus a practical exam requiring me to demonstrate fifteen disarm techniques while being attacked by three opponents simultaneously. Lucas was drowning in MBA case studies, and we barely saw each other except for brief library encounters where we'd trade coffee and commiseration.
On the last day, I stumbled out of the sports psych building feeling like my brain had been through a blender. Two hours trying to explain Freudian versus Jungian approaches to athletic performance, and I was pretty sure I'd mixed up half the theories.
"Rough exam?"
I looked up to find Lucas leaning against a pillar, unfairly put-together in dark jeans and a grey sweater, holding two Blue Bottle coffees. "I just spent two hours confusing Freud and Jung. Pretty sure I failed."
"Those two spent their lives arguing anyway. Your professor won't hold it against you." His lips quirked. "Besides, when has academic performance ever been your strong suit?"
"Rude but accurate." I took the coffee gratefully. "What are you doing here? Don't you have an exam?"
"Finished early. Turned in my International Marketing case study, decided to skip Luxury Brand Management." He said it casually, like he hadn't just blown off a major exam. "Figured you'd need coffee more than I needed another useless elective."
Before I could respond, he leaned down and kissed me. I froze for half a second, hyperaware of students streaming past, before deciding I didn't care and kissing him back. When he pulled back, his eyes were dark.
"You're going to start rumors," I said.
"Let them talk." He guided me to the stone steps. "How's your course load looking next semester?"
"Manageable. Sports Psych, Business Ethics, and my advanced combat training at the gym. You?"
"The usual MBA hell. Corporate Strategy, Financial Analysis, Organizational Behavior." He made a face. "Thinking about adding combat training though. If you're willing to teach me."
I turned, surprised. "You want to learn C.Q.C.?"
"I want to understand what you do every day. I want to know your world better. All of it."
Something tightened in my chest at the vulnerability underneath his casual tone. "You know my training intensity is special forces standards, right? Not beginner-friendly."
"I can handle it." His hand found mine. "Besides, I've been working out with you for months. Time to upgrade from 'concerned fiancé watching' to 'actual training partner.'"
"Fiancé," I corrected. "You're my fiancé now."
"How could I forget?" He lifted our joined hands, thumb brushing the platinum band. "Best decision I ever made."
We sat watching students hurry past. It felt surreal sometimes, how normal this had become.
"When are you leaving?" Lucas asked.
"Tomorrow morning. Early." I grimaced. "Emily wants to catch the 8:30 flight."
"Smart." He paused. "I'm going to miss you."
"It's only a few days before you fly out. You'll survive." But I squeezed his hand, because I'd miss him too. "I'll text when we land."
"Good." He stood, pulling me with him. "Come on, walk me to my car."
---
That evening, I showed up at Lucas's dorm to find him surrounded by half-packed luggage. He looked up when I knocked, expression shifting to pleased.
"Hey. Thought you'd be packing too."
"Already done. Turns out a childhood of traveling light makes you efficient." I stepped inside. "Listen, I wanted to thank you."
Lucas straightened, immediately alert. "For what?"
"For giving Emily and me space at the beginning of the trip. She told me you asked her permission before booking your later flight."
His expression softened. "You two haven't seen each other in almost a year. I'm not going to intrude on that. Besides—" He crossed the room, taking my face in his hands. "—I'm working on the whole 'trusting you to exist without me' thing. This seemed like good practice."
"You're doing great," I said, meaning it. "Really great."
"Don't sound so surprised." He kissed my forehead, then my mouth. "I can learn. I'm not completely hopeless."
"Only mostly hopeless," I teased, and he laughed before kissing me properly.
When we finally broke apart, his eyes had gone dark again. "You should go," he said, voice rough. "Before I change my mind and lock you in here."
"So dramatic," I said, but I was smiling as I headed for the door, pausing to look back. He was watching me with something soft and intense.
"I love you," I said.
"I love you too." His voice was rough. "Now get out before I really do lock that door."
---
The next morning my alarm blared at 5:30. I stumbled through my routine, double-checking my bag for passport and essentials.
My phone buzzed: Safe travels. Miss you already.
I smiled and typed back: Miss you too. See you in a few days.
The drive to Logan was traffic-free at this hour. I met Emily at international with two massive coffees and airport pastries.
"Ready?" Emily asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be." I took a breath. "Let's go."
Of course nothing went smoothly. Our 8:30 flight got delayed ninety minutes for mechanical issues, which meant we camped at our gate drinking more coffee.
"This is a sign," Emily declared. "The universe is telling us to stay in Boston."
"The universe can shut up." I checked my phone, finding a message from Lucas: Heard about the delay. Already contacted the water taxi to push back pickup. Don't stress.
How did you even know before me?
I may have set up flight tracking notifications. And possibly called the airline. Please don't be mad.
Despite everything, I smiled. You're ridiculous.
You love me anyway.
Unfortunately. I added a heart emoji. "Lucas already adjusted pickup."
"Of course he did." Emily shook her head, smiling. "That boy doesn't do anything halfway."
"Baby steps," I said. "At least he's not trying to control where I go anymore. Just obsessively monitoring my travel safety."
The flight finally boarded at 10:15, and as we settled into our seats, I felt the last of my tension drain away. Two weeks in Venice with my best friend, then Lucas joining us for the final leg.
"Stop overthinking," Emily said without looking at me. "I can hear your brain from here."
"I'm not overthinking."
"You're always overthinking. It's your default state." She turned to face me. "Katie. We're going to have an amazing time. Nothing's going to go wrong. Just breathe and enjoy it."
"When did you get so wise?"
"I've always been wise. You just never listen." She grinned, then closed her eyes. "Now shut up and let me sleep. Some of us are still recovering from finals."
I settled back, watching Boston disappear beneath us, and let myself relax. Just me and my best friend and a city I'd always wanted to see.
My phone buzzed one last time before I switched it to airplane mode: Have the best time. Can't wait to see you.
Can't wait to see you too, I typed back, and meant it.
Then I closed my eyes and let the engine's hum lull me toward sleep, the future stretching out ahead like something bright and possible for once.