Embrace Quote by Kristin Rae

““We’re in Florence.” He looks at Tate and Nina with wide eyes. “We have to go. Now!” They all scramble to gather their things, and I move to stand in the aisle. Tate’s ready first and he gives me the one-armed side-hug thing, but he closes us in with his hand on my other shoulder, tapping it a few times. “I’m glad you came with us. It’s been fun,” he says. “Thanks for inviting me. It was good getting to know you guys.” Tate steps aside and Nina gives me a quick squeeze. “You’re sweet, Pippa. I’m sure I’ll see you again sometime.” She pulls away and winks at me before following Tate off the train. Darren holds the handle to his backpack on the seat. My heart is in my ears, my throat, exploding out of my chest, like waking up from a nightmare. I force a smile. “I’m glad you asked me to come along. Well, Nina asked, technically, but--” “It was my idea,” he says. “To ask you to come. I wanted you to.” My face warms. “Pippa, I--” “Darren,” Tate calls from the door behind me, “this train is about to leave.” Darren looks over my shoulder and nods, eyebrows tense, before he opens his arms and I walk into his embrace. Our chins sit on each other’s shoulders, my cheek against his warm, scruffy one. I try to ignore the sting in my eyes. I don’t know how to say good-bye. I don’t know what to say at all.””

— Kristin Rae