Chapter 229: One Last Day
Tiger~
The late afternoon sun was dipping lazily toward the horizon, spreading long ribbons of honey-gold light through the leafy canopy above. Shadows danced on the pavement as I leaned against Jacob’s car, arms folded, the soft breeze playing with strands of my hair. The air smelled faintly of sun-warmed asphalt and blooming magnolias. A few college students strolled past, laughing about something that didn’t concern me. I barely registered them.
My thoughts were elsewhere. Wrapped around her.
This wasn’t just another pickup.
Today was goodbye.
I didn’t flinch when the glass doors of the college swung open and the low hum of the afternoon crowd spilled into the quiet. I didn’t have to look. I felt her—like always. That unmistakable burst of energy. Easter never just entered a space—she bloomed in it. A ripple in the air, like spring bursting through winter’s final grip.
Then I heard it. That voice, all sunlight and spark.
"Tiiiiger!" she called out, stretching my name into the air like it belonged there.
I looked up just in time to see her racing toward me. Her curls bounced with every step, her oversized tote bag flailing behind her like it had a life of its own. She practically radiated motion and light.
"Jacob told me you were picking me up today," she said breathlessly, her eyes gleaming.
I pushed off the car, the ghost of a smile tugging at my lips. "Yeah. Something came up," I murmured, my voice soft but steady. "He asked me to come instead."