The Liberty rocked gently in its moorings, as I made my way below deck. Juleka's room was dim, blackout curtains drawn against the afternoon sun. She sat cross-legged on her bed, sketching in a worn notebook.
"I'm heading out for a while," I said, leaning against her doorframe.
Her pencil paused. "How long?"
"Few weeks, maybe more." I stepped into the room fully, her shoulders seemed to be tensed. "Depends on how things go."
Juleka set down her notebook and looked up at me, violet strips of hair falling across half her face like always. "Is this about the message max sent?"
I didn't answer directly. Instead, I sat on the edge of her bed, close enough to catch the faint scent of her strawberry shampoo. "You'll be okay while I'm gone?"
"I'm not a kid, Luka." But her voice carried that uncertainty she tried to hide.
"I know." I reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. My fingers lingered against the warmth of her cheek. "But you're still my little sister."
She leaned into the touch, eyes closing briefly. When she opened them, something vulnerable flickered there. "Will you... will you miss me?"
The question hung between us. I cupped her face in both hands, thumbs brushing across her cheekbones.
"Every day," I said softly, then pressed my lips to her forehead in a lingering kiss that tasted like plum.
Her breath hitched. When I pulled back, her cheeks were flushed pink.
"Take care of yourself, Jules."
She nodded, not trusting her voice. I squeezed her hand once before leaving her room, the weight of her gaze following me up the stairs.
Next person
---
I stepped up to The Bourgeois hotel lobby gleamed with its usual excess of marble and gold. I entered the lobby and took the private elevator to the penthouse, my reflection multiplied endlessly in the mirrored walls.
Chloe's door was locked, but I knew she was inside. I'd caught glimpses of her blonde hair disappearing around corners for the past few days, always just out of reach.
"Chloe." I knocked twice. "We need to talk."
Silence.
"I'm leaving Paris. If you want to say goodbye, now's your chance."
The lock clicked. The door opened to reveal Chloe in a silk robe, her hairinstead of a pony tail was loose around her shoulders and wet. Dark circles shadowed her blue eyes.
"So you're just going to disappear?" Her voice carried that sharp edge she used when hurt.
"For a while." I let myself into her suite, she's been avoiding eye contact. "What's the matter lately it seems youve been avioding me?"
Her laugh came out bitter. "You really don't remember?"
I studied her face, searching for context I was clearly missing. "Remember what?"
"Unbelievable." She turned away, stalking to the glass balcony. "You said you'd do anything for me if I helped you with that thing, Luka.
When did I? Well thants not important now, I'll deal with this outburst here and now. "Right. And you helped. So what do you want?"
Chloe's shoulders shook "I can't... I can't just say it."
"Chloe." I moved behind her, close enough to feel the heat radiating from her skin. "What do you want?"
She spun around, her face inches from mine. "This is pathetic. I'm Chloe Bourgeois. I don't beg for—"
I caught her chin, tilting her face up. "Tell me."
Chloe turned into a red bee.
"You," she whispered, the word barely audible. "I want you."
Before I could respond, she surged forward on her toes, crushing her lips to mine. The kiss was desperate, tasting of expensive lip gloss. Her hands fisted in my shirt, pulling me closer as if afraid I'd disappear.
I kissed her back, one hand tangling in her silk-soft hair while the other pressed against the small of her back. She made a small sound against my mouth, part relief and part hunger.
When we broke apart, both breathing hard, her eyes were bright with unshed tears.
"I thought you were leaving forever," she whispered against my lips.
"Just a few weeks," I said, brushing my thumb across her swollen mouth. "Maybe a month."
"Oh." Her face crumpled slightly. "I thought... when you said goodbye..."
"Not goodbye forever." I responded teasing. I pressed another soft kiss to her lips, tasting the salt of her tears. "Just for now."
She nodded, fingers still twisted in my shirt. "When you come back..."
"When I come back," I agreed, not needing her to finish the sentence.
I stayed until the sun set, holding her as she dozed against my chest with a dumb grin, her breathing finally peaceful. When I left, she was curled up in her bed, blonde hair spread across silk pillows like spun gold.
Two goodbyes down. Now for New York.