“IN THE WEEKS THAT FOLLOWED, Livia played a new game every day. It was always some version of “Ignore Chris and Pretend Nothing’s Wrong With That.”

“Could we please just go?” Livia asked, swallowing back her panic. She had no idea what Chris might do—or Kyle, for that matter.”

“Every morning and evening, Livia granted her eyes the only thing they asked for all day: a sweeping, hopeful look at the platform. And every time, her gut registered the punch of his absence.”

“Blake pulled Livia to him. “How do you manage to be so brave every day?”Livia put a hand on his smooth jaw. “I should ask you. Seeing you stand—here, of all places—in the sun to wait for me was amazing.”

“Livia now saw clearly what she needed to do. She would break up with Chris this weekend. She sighed with satisfaction and the lingering effects of Blake’s kiss, now tattooed on her heart.”

“Blake had to find Livia. And he knew where to find her. He could come to her any day at the Poughkeepsie train station. But it had to be his choice to come back. Suddenly leaving him here to play his exquisite music didn’t feel like giving up. It gave Livia hope.”

“Blake?” Livia closed one eye while she waited.“Livia.” He was still there.“You waited,” Livia whispered.“Of course. I’ll always wait.”Livia smiled wider than she thought possible.”