Free Until Then (Cornerstone Book 2) by Krista Noorman Page B

me. I don’t do goodbyes.” She cringed as the word left her lips. She could still hear the words her mother spoke every time her father left on another one of his trips. Say goodbye to your father. Anxiety began to build inside her just thinking about it. “There were too many of those with my dad when I was growing up, and I just can’t handle it.”
    “Well, we don’t have to say it.” He put his arm around her shoulders. “We’ll just say … until then.”
    She looked at him sadly. “Until when?”
    “Until the next time we see each other.”
    “What if that never happens?” Her heart broke a little at the thought.
    “It will.” He spoke with confidence. “Even if it’s not in our lifetime, we’ll see each other one day in Heaven.”
    She breathed out, exasperated. “That sounds morbid.”
    “It’s not morbid. It’s eternity together with God. Sounds pretty good to me.”
    “I hope we don’t have to wait that long.” She smiled at him.
    “Me, too.”
    They stayed to watch the sunset, then Sean returned her to the dorm.
    “Thanks for coming out with me tonight.” He hugged her tightly against him, and she never wanted him to let go. “Pray for me, OK?”
    “I will.” His meeting with the dean was sure to be scary and uncomfortable.
    His arms loosened, and he pulled back just enough to place a soft, tender kiss on her lips.
    Her stomach flipped at the contact.
    “Three-second rule!” cried Jill and Darcy from their dorm room window, which had a front row seat to the door.
    Michelle and Sean laughed. It felt wonderful to laugh with him again.
    He leaned in and gave her one more three-second kiss.
    “Rule breaker,” she whispered.
    He grinned at that. “Goodnight.”
    “Night.”
     

     
    Michelle floated into the dorm and down the hallway, where she was tackled by her roommates. They dragged her into the room and slammed the door.
    “Did we just see you with Sean?” Maggie asked.
    “What happened?” Emma had made such an effort to support her, despite how uncomfortable she was about Michelle and Sean’s night together.
    Michelle didn’t know where to start. “I have so much to tell you, but before I do, I want to hear about your Thanksgiving holidays.”
    “No way!” Maggie cried. “We’re not letting you off the hook.”
    Michelle laughed, and the phone started ringing. She lunged for it, beating them to the receiver. “Hello?”
    “Hey, Chelle. I’m back!” Simon announced.
    “So you are. How was your flight?”
    “Good. How was your holiday in the dorm? Miserable without me, right?”
    “Absolutely miserable.” Her tone held a hint of sarcasm, and she rolled her eyes at her roommates.
    “Is that Simon?” Emma whispered.
    “Yeah, it’s him.”
    “Hey, are your roommates back yet?” he asked.
    “Yeah, they’re both here. Do you wanna talk—”
    “No,” Simon cut her off. “I wanna talk to you.”
    “Okaaay.” Weird.
    Simon’s end of the line was silent.
    “Did you have turkey and stuffing? A good home-cooked meal?” she asked.
    “Home-cooked?” He laughed. “We had it catered in.”
    While Simon shared the details of their dinner and house full of guests, Michelle noticed Emma brush a tear from her cheek. She was subtle about it, turning away and casually wiping as she stretched her arms above her head, but Michelle caught a glint of light reflected on the tear. Something was going on between Emma and Simon. She was sure of it.
    Simon finished his story. “I don’t wanna interrupt your girl time. Just wanted to hear your voice. I’ll see ya’ tomorrow.”
    “OK.”
    “Night, Chelle.” And he hung up.
    Michelle slowly turned to face Emma, who looked as if she might burst into tears at any moment.
    “I’m gonna go get ready for bed.” Emma pouted as she gathered her toiletries.
    “Emma, what’s wrong?” Michelle asked.
    “Nothing.”
    “You can talk to us, Em,” Maggie assured her. “You know that.”
    “Simon never called