He smiled.
She faced him. About ... what you told me yesterday. I don't know what to say yet. You're my best friend in the world, but I'm not sure what I'm feeling right now. Paul didn't leave me. They killed him. And I've spent the last week believing he chose to stop loving me. I feel like I betrayed him somehow. I need time. Time to grieve, time to find some closure.... ..
Chris got the picture. "I understand."
"No, you don't," she said, and took a step closer. "This is not a rejection, Chris. I want you in my life. It's just ... that's as far as I'm able to take it right now. I need more time to sort stuff out. If you can wait-"
"I can wait," he said eagerly.
"I better get going," she said with a smile, and then extended her hand. "You coming?"
His face went completely blank, all pretenses dropped. "But you just said ..."
Trisha offered him a very tired but warm expression. "I said I need some time. I didn't say I wanted to spend it without you."
He let out a quick breath, a shudder of wonder and excitement.
Was this really happening? Or was it another distortion of reality, caused by the machine?
Chris didn't want to know. He just wanted to go with her.
He was about to take her by the hand when Terry called out from his perch on the steps nearby. "Hey, Trish, tell the family I said hi!"
They both turned to face him; he'd obviously been eavesdropping.
Trisha gave him a look of grimace, but didn't really mean it. She glanced at Chris, who raised his eyebrows and shook his head.
`All right, Terry," she said with mock exasperation, "you can come too."
And despite his leg wound, Terry Kessler leaped gleefully from his seat and joined his friends.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thanks to ...
God. You are always good. You are always faithful.
Karen. You are my life, my love, my everything.
My family. Thank you for letting me dream, and always wanting to dream with me.
The kind people at Kennedy Space Center's Visitor Complex: thanks for your help in learning about your incredible facilities. I can't wait to go back there.
Everyone at Bethany House, and everyone at Alive Communications-especially Dave and Beth. Thanks for always having my back, and for caring about my future.
All the friends and loved ones who offer little bits of encouragement from day to day. The things you do and say stay with me, and will never be forgotten.
Dear reader. Thank you for picking up this book, and taking this ride with me. Let's take another soon.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Robin Parrish has written for over a decade as a journalist on the cutting edge of Christian culture, from books and music to film. He is the author of the fan-favorite DOMINION TRILOGY. Robin, his wife, and their son live in High Point, North Carolina.
www.robinparrish.com
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