"I'm not saying goodbye," she stated firmly. "Goodbye means forever and I don't want that."

"Me either," I agreed, hooking her gently with one of my arms and pulling her into a hug. "So, how about I'll see you later?"

"That works," she nodded, trying to give me a smile. "It was really nice meeting you."

"You too. You're going to do great things, I already know it."

That brought a full smile to her face and she stepped back to join her sisters.

I took a deep breath and slapped a smile on my face. "Okay, time for me to hit the road before I get all misty and ruin my street cred. See you all later!"

Climbing into the driver's seat was no big deal. Starting the car, backing up — all easy enough. I gave a quick wave to the assembled group before heading down the road.

As I slowly rolled away, I glanced in my rear view mirror and saw Gordon step out of the Pack House and join the group.

No. Nope. Nope. Not gonna think about that disaster, mm-mm nope.

=========================

By the time the pack was out of sight in my rearview, the weight of the day finally caught up with me. I spent an hour after I left in total silence. Breathing in focus, breathing out emotional trauma. No music, no podcasts—just the hum of tires on pavement and the occasional bug sacrifice on the windshield.

The goodbyes had been sweet, but I'd already mentally shelved them under Nice Moments, Temporary People. There was work to do and a to-do list waiting back in the high desert.

I tapped the hands-free button. "Call Mom," I said, shifting back into the version of me who survived by handling life like a checklist.

The phone rang twice before Mom picked up. "Hi honey! How've you been?"

"Eh, not too bad," I replied, clicking my turn signal on and switching lanes. "Just signed another pack to a decent sized deal."

"Are you on the road?" she asked.

"Just hit the road about an hour ago," I said, taking off the flower crown and gently placing it on the passenger seat like it was something sacred. "I'm actually outside of this town called Grover. I should be home by tomorrow at the latest."

"Honey, that's a really long drive. Why didn't Jason go with you? Don't tell me he was too busy with work."

My jaw tightened just slightly. "We broke up a few months ago, remember?"

She was silent for a moment before slowly replying, "Oh... right. I thought maybe you two had worked things out."

I didn't answer right away. Some things didn't need saying. Not today.

Instead, I reached for the water bottle in the cupholder and took a slow sip.

"Work's been busy," I said finally. "You know how it is."

"I'm just saying. You've been doing this for five years, and I worry. You never slow down."

"That's literally the business model of Luna's Compass, Mom—keep moving, fix things, rinse, repeat."

She sighed in that way only moms can. "I just want you to be happy, honey."

"I'm working on it," I replied—quietly, honestly.

"Besides, I want actual grandchildren. Not the pets you keep trying to pass off as your kids. It wouldn't hurt to have a son-in-law again either."

I gave a soft laugh. "Don't start. Happiness doesn't mean marriage, and marriage doesn't mean happiness. Remember Aunt Josephine?"

Mom snorted. "She still can't show her face at Thanksgiving after the pie incident."

"Mmhmm," I said. "At least the tea was good that year."

We both laughed, and for a moment, it felt like breathing came easier again. We spent the next half hour chatting about random things. Her garden projects, shenanigans that my dad got into recently, and general pack gossip.

It wasn't until my phone buzzed to let me know a team call had started that I reluctantly let her go.

No rest for the wicked. Or for traveling Lunas with questionable life choices.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's Note:

This chapter started cute and then accidentally punched both of us in the feelings.Sorry, not sorry.

Tune in every Tuesday and Friday at noon Pacific for more emotional gut punches... I mean, new chapters!

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