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I’d never seen Sergio tear up

But as he pressed his pal the piece of paper, staining it

Val picked it up, pulled out adown

“What are you writing?” I asked

She sio “Every year close to her death, we make sure the list…” Her eyes were sad “Today, we did the last thing on her list To die with a smile on her face, in the sunrise”

Just then, the sun started to rise over the horizon

Sergio squeezed his eyes shut and held Val

I had no clue why they let io soo that I would be in the same predicament

I turn to s I haven’t done and all the things I’ve done that I shouldn’t

I grip her hand tighter

Laughter

Holding hands

Kissing

Eating

Walking

Enjoying a short life with the woman I love

Telling her the clock is ticking wouldn’t be fair

I wait until she’s asleep, and then I grab my phone and text Nikolai

Me: Don’t tell them why Stop my heart But it has to be at the exact time I tell you

Nik: I can do that

Me: It’s the only thing I want For her to know that my heart beats for hers until the very end

I drop my phone and close my eyes, then turn and pull Izzy into my arms and smell her hair; I fall asleep with a smile on my face

Chapter Eight

“Life is not aa poor hand well” —Robert Louis Stevenson

Izzy

I woke up to Maksi me in his arms I should have probably pulled away, but I pretended to be asleep a little longer, knowing it was such a typical move that I actually felt embarrassed about it His body arm, maybe even feverish, jaw clenched, beautiful super wavy hair chaotically sticking to his pillow and part of his forehead