3 months, 13.036 weeks, 91.25 days, 2190.002 hours, 131400.144 minutes and 7884008.64 seconds, since I last saw her.

So much had changed in that time. So much that I wanted to tell her and show her. So much I wanted to do to her, say and give to her. Every day was spent counting down the time until I would have her in my arms again. It had been hell.

I was pretty much back to full health with the help of regular physio check-ups to make sure I kept my knee active. I wouldn’t be able to play professionally again, and as much as it sucked knowing that I’d never be able to reach my dream, I had something else that was a greater blessing than any football team could ever give me. I had the girl. At least, that’s what I wished for when I drove away from the airport that day. We’d had minimal contact since Melanie set off for New York. I got that she was busy, and listening to her talk down the phone during the early hours of the morning was something I looked forward to. Hearing her voice, knowing the days until I saw her again were growing ever shorter. But hearing her voice and knowing how happy she was out there made me miss her more than I ever thought possible.

The morning before she was due back, I found myself in the backyard, pacing back and forth when Taylor appeared out of nowhere. He was grinning from ear to ear.

“You’ve been out here for the last twenty minutes. If you carry on the way you are you’ll wear the grass down.”

“I can’t help it. What if she doesn’t come back?” It was a question I kept asking myself since she'd walked away from me that day. What if she didn't come back? What if she didn't want to come back?

“She’ll come back,” he assured me. He didn’t look the slightest bit worried whether she would or not. I wished I shared the same belief that he had.

“What if she’s met someone else? Three months is a long time. For all we know she could still be out there… with him.”

Taylor gripped my shoulders and looked me square in the eye. “She’ll be back.”

“But…”

“She’ll be back, mate. I promise.”

“You don’t know that. Not for sure.”

“She loves you.”

“We don’t know that, either.”

“She told you so herself, right?”

“Well, yeah, I guess,” I said, scratching the back of my neck. Fuck, I missed her.

“See. She’ll be back.” He chuckled.

“How do you know she didn’t just say that because she was going anyway? For all I know she probably never even meant it.”

“And for all you know she could be doing the exact same thing you are right now. Relax, will you? She’ll be back.”

I released a frustrated groan as I gripped my head. “I don’t know. I need to go and do something. I can’t sit at home worrying over it,” I told him. I needed to get away. Think about something else until it was time to leave for the airport. “I’m gonna go to the warehouse. Make sure it’s all ready.”

“Mate, you were there just a few hours ago. I’m sure nothing’s changed since then.” He smirked.

“Well, what the fuck do I do then? I’m going crazy here?”

“Just relax.” He sighed as he pulled out a garden chair. I forced myself to take a seat and placed my elbows on my knees to stop them from bouncing. “Relax…” he continued. “Enjoy the quiet while you can, because I can assure you, in a few hours you’re gonna wish you’d cherished these rare moments while you had the chance.”

“I’ve had three months to enjoy the quiet. I’ve hated every damn second of it.”

Taylor was smirking as he took the seat beside me, gazing out onto the fields.

Christmas had come and gone with little to no entertainment. I found myself pacing more often than not during the festivities. It was nice having everyone under the same roof for once. But knowing it was going to be our last Christmas at the home I’d known my whole life forced a new kind of sadness to wash over me. One that didn’t quite match the sadness I felt when Mel went away, but a new kind of depression that you only felt when change was happening. I wasn’t sure whether that change was going to be good or not, but it was coming… I could feel it.

Christmas in New York was like a never-ending Disney movie. That’s what it felt like when I looked down from the rooftop on an evening, watching as the sky turned dark and the soft blanket of snow glistened against the pavement. My mum had taken me to New York when I was just a little girl, but I couldn’t remember much of that holiday. I only remembered how cold my toes were inside my snow boots, and how the end of my nose tickled as it ran with the change in temperature. This time, though, I took it all in. I walked into every store that held a wintery Christmas display in the window, buying silly wooden hanging ornaments from every place that had them, and slipping them onto each Christmas tree branch I came across. One by one, I slid those small, delicate baubles onto the plush green branches and smiled at each passer-by who looked at me as though I were trying to steal them.

When I wasn’t working, I would eat out at different places, do the whole tourist thing, snapping pictures wherever I went, capturing each moment so I would be sure to remember them. And I wanted to remember it all. I wanted to remember what it felt like having the crunchy snow beneath my feet, and warming my hands up afterwards with a milky hot chocolate. I wanted to remember my nights out with the friends I had made, and cherish each delicate cuisine I was forced into trying. I wanted to remember it all.

I had been right about Daniella. She was a dream to work with and was beyond happy with the gown I had designed for the Lights Out premiere. So much so, she had invited me along. Her boyfriend Marcus was ridiculously handsome, too, and so obviously besotted with his rising star of a girlfriend. It made me miss having someone to hold at night. Someone to be silly with. Someone to wrap their arms around me while we people-watched from the rooftop, taking in the white fairy lights and Christmas trees that lined the streets of Manhattan.

It made me miss Jake.

We’d spoken only occasionally since we last saw each other at the airport. We were both so busy and the time difference made it difficult to keep in contact. He was usually asleep when I called and I always felt bad for waking him. He was still recovering from the injury he suffered, and although surgery had been a success, he still had a long way to go. I hated knowing that his dream had been taken from him while I was so busy immersing myself in my own. I felt guilty for that. And I felt guilty for not being there when he needed me the most. But I didn’t have to worry about that for much longer. Because I was finally going home, back where I belonged.

I leaned over the railing of the rooftop terrace and sighed. This would be my final time seeing this place and I wanted to remember what it felt like to be up here, alone, free…

With my bags packed ready to go, I picked up my handbag and the handles of my suitcases and walked through the studio for the final time with my luggage dragging behind me.

Danni was in the middle of a fitting and looked nothing short of flustered as Susan tried to make alterations on a knee-length dress. It looked as though she’d been wrapped up in pink toilet paper and was being forced to keep still. I tried not to laugh as I approached them.

“Mel… are you sure you can’t stay? This place just won’t be the same without you,” Danni said, her eyes pleading for my help.

I smiled brightly but shook my head. “I’m sorry.

“No, you’re not.” She smirked. “If you were sorry, you’d have taken me up on my offer to stay and eat more of those delicious jalapeno burgers at our favourite diner every day without any boys around to judge the slop around our faces. You can’t wait to go, can you?” She winked.

Those burgers were amazing, but unfortunately not enough to convince me to stay. I missed home. Something I never thought I would ever say. “Honestly? No, I can’t.” I grinned. “But I’m worried that things have changed since I’ve been gone. Three months is a long time. What if when I get back Jake decides he doesn’t want to be with me? It’s been three months…” I shook my head and sighed. “How do you do it?” I asked, concern filling my voice as I gazed up at Danni for answers.

Danni tilted her head in understanding, her sympathy shining from her eyes. “It’s easy for me, Mel. The guy I love follows me around the world, for the most part. Without him, I’d be ready to go home, too.”

I thought over her words for a moment and sighed again. Marcus wasn’t Jake. While Marcus would spend his entire life by his girlfriend’s side, I wasn’t sure that Jake ever would. “What if we want different things out of life? What if I’m not really who he wants to spend his days with?” I asked, admitting the questions that had been plaguing my mind.

Danni glanced down at Susan and shot her a look that asked for a minute alone without her actually having to say the words aloud. Susan rolled her eyes and moved away, allowing Danni to turn her full attention to me, her hands landing on her hips and her smile pushing up into her cheeks.

“You know, I grew up watching a very close pair of friends of mine do what you and Jake are doing now. The whole assumption thing. The whole ‘he wouldn’t want that, she wouldn’t want that, so I’ll stay away forever to make it easier for everyone’ saga. You want my advice? Fuck it all, Mel. Let Jake decide what he wants. Don’t make those decisions for him. Go home, see how you feel, and if you want to run back to New York…” Her smile grew bigger. “Well, I think I know a blonde lady who would love you to design a few more dresses for her in the future.”

And this was why I loved Danni. She always knew the right words to say at just the right time. She was strong, and had been through her own kind of Hell. She understood what it felt like to be alone and I guess that’s what drew me to her to begin with. That mutual understanding of how the world really functioned. I nodded my head. She was right. I couldn’t make decisions for him. I needed to hop on that plane, see where life took us.

“I’m gonna miss you,” I told her, feeling the sadness creep in. Having her around these past few months had taken my mind off of life back home. It was going to be weird not seeing her every day.

Danni shuffled forward in her dress, planting both hands on my shoulders gently. “Haven’t you heard about me, Mel? I don’t let people miss me. Once you’re in my circle, you’re screwed. For life. FaceTime saves relationships, don’t you know.” She chuckled lightly. “Marcus, however, will definitely miss you dealing with my fashion crises so he doesn’t have to. But you need to go do your thing. It’s your time now.”

“Marcus is great, Danni. If I ever have the kind of love that you two have, I’ll be sure to hold on to it. As for this hideous dress?” I grimaced, snapping my fingers to Susan and shooting her a look that said, ‘what the freakin’ hell are you doing?’

Susan stepped forward with her sewing cushion where a handful of pink pins stuck out. I pointed to the hem and said, “Take it up a half inch. Danni has great legs. Don’t hide them. And tuck that waist in. It’s meant to be a corset not a baggy jumper. This whole ensemble screams ‘dress up day at school only my mum forgot to make something so I dyed a bin bag pink and stuck it over my head’ kind of look.” I frowned, blew out a breath and shook my head again.

Danni’s grin erupted. “And this is why I know you’ll make it. You just have it.”

Grinning, I held out a hand to Susan. “Pins,” I asked in a bored tone I used only for her. She was the annoying type who always had to be right. I couldn’t leave knowing Danni would be forced to wear a dress that appeared to be three sizes too big. It was unflattering to say the least.

When she slipped them into my hand, I began to tack them into place, pulling up the hem just enough that it hit above the knee. Then I gazed up at Danni with a grin. “I guess it pays off when your mother is a goddamn genius.” I continued to do the same to the waistline until it hugged the curves of her hips. “There.” A smile of satisfaction set across my face when I examined the dress in the full- length mirror. “Much better.”

“Oh, please.” Danni rolled her eyes playfully. “Your mother may be a genius, but talent isn’t inherited. It’s just there, God-given. Quit making yourself out to be less than you are, or I will force you to stay and you’ll have to listen to my ridiculous advice and boring lectures for another three months until it sinks into your head just how talented you are, missy.”

A part of me wanted to take her up on that, lecture or no lecture. It was easy to forget how difficult things were back home when you’d spent three months away from all of the chaos.

I sighed, shook my head and reached for my bags. “I may take you up on that. God knows what will happen when I get back. For all I know, he may not even show up.”

“Well, whatever happens, embrace it. Good or bad. You can’t run from life. All you can do is tackle it head on. But something tells me he’ll be waiting.” She grinned.

“I really hope you’re right,” I smiled and threw my arms around her, awkwardly avoiding the sharp pins. “Thank you for everything, Danni. I’ve had the most incredible three months of my life. I won’t forget what you did for me. Not ever,” I told her.

“I’m so glad you won,” she said as she gave me one last squeeze. “Keep in touch, Mel. And for the love of God, keep that pretty smile on your face. Now, get out of here because my eyes are starting to get all watery and I’m a spontaneous crier when it comes to saying goodbyes.”

I laughed nervously and waved my goodbyes, making sure she agreed to tell Marcus I said goodbye. I was going to miss them. Hell, I was even going to miss Susan which made absolutely no sense. With a heart full of memories and nervous smile, I left.

Everything was in place.

The warehouse was looking better than it ever had with the new equipment and shelving racks which Riley and Taylor had help me set up just the day before. I’d even taken Bessy on a shopping run to buy new fabric to line the shelves. I wasn’t scared of Bessy anymore. She was actually pretty sweet for a crazy old lady. I actually wasn’t sure who was looking forward to seeing Mel more. Bessy or me.

I had only one other minor detail to take care of before I made the twenty-minute journey to the airport, and that wouldn’t take long.

Coach greeted me as I made my way into his office. His eyes were more alive than they’d ever been as he ushered me to take a seat opposite him. I slid into the chair, feeling more nervous than I’d ever felt as I gazed down at the contract set before me.

This was it.

The next step in getting my life back.

“I hope you’re not having second thoughts?” Coach asked. His face showed no small amount of concern as I picked up the brown, hardback folder and opened it up to the first page.

“No second thoughts, just…” I didn’t know what I was feeling.

“You have that same look about you that I had all those years ago. The disbelief, excitement, that feeling you get when you know you’re home.”

“It’s weird. I never thought I’d be sitting here, doing this,” I admitted.

“I always knew you’d be back here, son. You’re not just a damn good football player. You’re a leader. It takes someone special to coach a bunch of adolescent teenagers. It’s not gonna be easy, and at times you’ll want to throw in the towel, but you’ll stick it out.”

“You sound sure about that.” I grinned.

“I am. I’ve watched you for years, Jake. Looking out for the team, your brother… If anyone’s got it in them to take over this place, it’s you.”

I gazed up at Coach, not knowing what to say to that. I could see the emotion in his ageing eyes. That bittersweet feeling of knowing that you did all you could but it was time to move on to other things in life. Or in Coach’s instance, a three-month vacation to Australia before he settled down into retirement.

“What if I can’t do this? I’ve always had the team to fall back on. What if I can’t do it alone?” Fear crept in, and suddenly, I wasn’t sure about anything anymore. What if I wasn’t cut out for this? Coach’s legacy was at stake. What if I destroyed everything he’d built up? Fuck! I couldn’t do this. I was kidding myself. I wasn’t a leader. In the grand scheme of things, I was still just a kid.

“I knew you’d say that.” Coach smirked. Then he motioned behind me and I frowned as I turned in my seat. Riley? What… What the…? “Every great coach needs a wingman by his side. Jake? Meet your new assistant coach.” He grinned.

“What?” I jumped up. “You’re kidding? This is a joke, right? Me and him?”

Riley’s smug grin told me that this wasn’t a joke. I was lost for words, looking between the two of them.

“You really thought I’d let you do this alone?” Riley raised his brows, a knowing grin spreading across his face. “Like fuck I would.” He laughed, pulling me into a bear hug.

“This is insane.” I laughed.

“Told you things would be different this year,” he winked.

“You ain’t wrong there,” I tossed back.

“Well? Are you boys gonna sign on the dotted line or what? I’ve got a plane to catch.”

A forty-minute delay meant I didn’t arrive back in England until that evening. By the time I collected my luggage and went through security, I was at least an hour late. I was certain that Jake had already left, and I made the dreaded walk to the arrivals lounge knowing there would be no one there to greet me. I had called Frankie this morning to let her know that I would be home that evening, but likely wouldn’t see her until the following afternoon, what with the jet lag and getting used to the time change. I hadn’t called Jake, though. He already knew when I’d be back and I didn’t want him to feel like he had to be there. Even though a part of me—a big part of me—hoped he’d show up.

I made it outside, the biting chill greeting me almost instantly. I wrapped the scarf I’d bought from Macy’s during one of my many shopping trips around my neck and held it close to my chin. Resting my suitcases against a small post, I flagged down one of the taxis parked on the other side of the road. Just as I started to reach for my luggage, a firm hand gripped mine and my eyes shot up.

“I’ve got these.” The voice was smooth and I tried not to let on how much it affected me upon hearing it.

I continued to gaze up at Jake, my fingers curled around the handle of my suitcase, his curled around mine, both of us unmoving as we began a private stare down.

He came.

He was here.

Danni was right. Jake did care.

“Hey, you.” He grinned, his heavy breaths causing his chest to rise and fall. He was just as beautiful as I remembered.

“Hey, yourself.” The shy grin that spread across my face hadn’t been lost on him. Jake took my hand in his, ignoring the luggage on the ground as he pulled me against him. My hand was still in his as he gazed down on me as though he wasn’t sure if I was really there.

“I missed you,” he breathed out. His free hand came up to cradle the back of my head and he pressed his lips to my forehead. My fingers shook in his as I tried desperately to hold it together. But three months without him had done nothing to ease the way I felt about him. I wanted to breathe him in. Swim in the emotions that Jake caused me to feel. And I never wanted to leave. Not ever.

“There’s something I want to show you. Come with me?”

I nodded. I was pretty certain I would go anywhere he asked me to.

Twenty minutes later we pulled into the car park of Winslow college. Jake climbed out of the driver side and made his way around the car. It had been well over a year since I last stepped foot on my old college grounds. It felt weird being back after all this time. Nothing had changed, yet everything felt different. It was almost as if I was walking into someone else’s dream, watching from afar. Jake pulled the passenger door open and reached for my hand. I wondered if I’d ever tire of looking at him. I already knew the answer to that. His light blue jeans fit snug against his limbs and the white tee he had on clung to his chiselled chest, much like it always had. I wanted to reach out and trace the hard edges I knew were underneath the material.

The nervous smile that pulled at his lips gave me butterflies, and I slipped my hand in his and let him lead me towards the football field. A shiver sent chills down my spine and my heartbeat quickened as we continued to walk the short distance in silence. Because of the winter months, it was dark and I could barely see a few metres in front of me as we continued to walk towards the lights up ahead. I breathed in, the smell so familiar and comforting as the wind whipped around me.

Jake squeezed my hand, reminding me he was there. Not that I could ever forget. It had been so long since I’d seen him, and I still had no idea how he felt about me. At the airport, before I’d left, he’d told me that he loved me, and I’d said it back because I did love him. But he’d also hurt me by pushing me away, and I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t let him hurt me again. The funny thing about love is that it’s impossible to walk away from, no matter how much hurt that love caused.

Jake stopped in the middle of the field and sat back on the grass. Then he pulled me down and positioned me between his legs as we looked out onto the field. His arms circled my waist, his chin resting against the top of my head as he held my back close to his chest.

It felt like hours had passed before either of us spoke, and I wanted nothing more than to hear that sweet sound I loved so much. I missed the sound of his voice. It wasn’t the same hearing it on the other end of the phone.

Her hair smelt like strawberries and cream. Like the Chupa Chup lollies Taylor and I used to nick from the shop around the corner. I breathed her in again, never wanting to forget her smell or the way she felt in my arms. The light breeze whipped through her hair—hair that was back to its normal shade of blonde. She was back. I never wanted to let her go. I would stay on the field all night if it meant I got to hold her this way.

I knew she was wondering why I’d brought her here. I just wasn’t sure how she’d react to my news. Or if she’d even think I was good enough for the role.

Mel sighed softly, her shoulders rising and falling. “What are we doing here, Jake?”

I pressed my lips to the top of her head, my thumb brushing back and forth across her hand. “A lot has changed since you’ve been away. Some for the good. Some… not so much.” I sighed.

“Will you tell me about it? Even the bad stuff?”

I nodded against her. “Even the bad stuff,” I agreed. “But not tonight. Tonight I just want it to be about us. Our future.”

“Do we have one?” she asked hesitantly, turning to face me.

“I hope so.” I smiled down at her.

“Me, too,” she said shyly. “Why are we here?” she asked again.

“How would you feel if I told you that you were looking at the new head coach of Winslow Falls?” I deadpanned.

“I’d say… I hope that it’s true because that would be freakin’ awesome.” She grinned.

“You wouldn’t care that I’m never gonna play pro again?”

“Are you serious? I don’t care where you play, Jake, or if you even play at all. I just want you to be happy.”

I smiled. “Well, surprise!”

“Shut up? Are you being serious? You’re not winding me up, are you?”

“Nope.” I chuckled. “New head coach,” I said, thumbing my chest.

Mel threw her arms around me, causing us to fall back on the grass. Her hair whipped across her face, covering her eyes. I brushed it back, tucking it behind her ear as she gazed down at me. “I’m so proud of you, Jake. This is the best news ever.” Then her mouth was on mine, lips I’d dreamed of tasting again brushing across my own before she pulled back, a dreamy smile lighting up her eyes.

“Thank you. I’m excited to see where it goes. It’s not gonna be easy, though.”

“Nothing in life is easy.”

“I know,” I said, tucking her against my side as we stared up into the sky.

A small sigh left her as she continued to gaze up at the stars that littered the sky above. “Everything feels…”

“Different?” I answered for her.

“Yeah. Different…” She trailed off.

Mel turned to face me, her fingers finding my hair as she continued to look at me as though I might vanish any second.

Echoes of laughter sounded around us and I glanced up just as Riley and Brie came into view. I felt Mel stiffen beside me and I tightened the hold I had on her. She was safe with me.

“So glad we bumped into the both of you.” Brie grinned. “Can you believe that these two will be working together? It’s crazy, right?”

Mel frowned briefly as if she couldn’t believe that Aubrie had spoken to her. But as quick as that frown came, it went. “It’s great. Really great.”

“Just ‘cause you’re the new head coach, don’t think it gives you a free pass to boss me around. I ain’t your bitch. Remember that.” Riley frowned, nudging my side with his shoe.

Brie rolled her eyes and smacked him playfully. “Don’t listen to him. He’s just pissed that I’m not giving him any.”

Mel smiled beside me and I pulled her closer. I missed that smile almost as much as I missed being inside of her.

“Anyway, we’re off to celebrate.” Brie turned away as if she was going to leave, but then she hesitated. “Do you two want to join us?” Brie eventually asked. Her eyes were on Mel and a part of me wanted to say yes just so they could work their issues out. But I’d just spent three fucking months without my girl, and there was no way I was sharing her. Besides, I still had one little surprise in store for her, and I had a feeling this one would blow her fucking mind.

“I think we’ll give it a miss. Thanks, though,” Mel said, and I wanted to punch the air.

“Of course,” Brie said, waving it off. “You guys probably have heaps to catch up on. I’ll see you around.” She winked again and looped her arm through Riley’s.

We watched them make their way out, arm in arm.

“Are they…?” Mel asked and I looked across at her, noticing the frown.

“Back together?” Mel nodded and I shook my head. “Na. Just friends.” Although the jury was still out on that one, I hoped they would work it out in time. Besides, If Mel was here beside me after everything I’d put her through, then I was certain they would find love again. Or at the very least, remember why they loved each other to begin with.

Mel sighed wistfully. “Wow. Things really are different.”

“You have no idea,” I said, pressing my lips to her forehead. “You have no idea.”

That last two hours had been overwhelming.

I was back home after three months of being away and I was sitting beside the man who I adored more than anything in this crazy, trying little world. I was certain nothing could ever top this night.

I had Jake by my side, and he was still high over the news of his new role as head coach at Winslow Falls. And then there was Aubrie, who had spoken more words to me in two minutes than she had since she’d come back to town.

While I’d been away, I learned to make peace with a lot of things that happened in the past. I no longer punished myself for Shawn’s death. I knew I couldn’t have done anything to stop him from using drugs. After all, I was just a kid. I couldn’t control his life any more than I could stop him from taking that final hit. I would continue to miss him every day, but I was done punishing myself. I knew Shawn wouldn’t have wanted that.

I’d also made peace with Aubrie and the hurt she had caused me. While the last four years had been hell for me while I tried to come to terms with losing my friend and brother, I had a strong sense that I wouldn’t always feel that way. That one day I would be able to look back on the memories I had of them and smile. Mine and Aubrie’s friendship may never be the same again, but I’d like to think that one day, in the future, we would learn to heal that shattered time in our lives. Whatever the outcome, our story wasn’t over. Maybe, just maybe, it was only the beginning.

I smiled across at Jake who was focused on the road ahead. All I wanted now was to crawl into bed, curl into his side and fall asleep together knowing that tomorrow would be day one of our new life together.

But he had other ideas.

Jake had been talkative until he rounded the corner onto Curtis Lane. Then he went silent…

I wanted to ask him what we were doing here, but the words refused to push past my lips.

I didn’t want to be here of all places. The thought of climbing out of the warmth of Jake’s car and staring into nothing made me wish we’d just gone home like I’d suggested.

The headlights shone a path, leading us towards the familiar road I knew all too well. My breath lodged its way inside my throat, my heart hammering in my chest as I refused to look ahead. When I thought he was going to continue, he stopped the car and turned to face me with the same nervousness that I felt. “Do you trust me?’ he asked. The serious tone to his voice made me blink back a couple of times before I nodded.

Did I trust him?

I did. I really did.

“Then I’m gonna need you to put this on.” Jake held out a black blindfold with an elastic headband which tied around the back of my head. I swallowed down and reached out with shaky fingers. Then I did as I was told.

It was a few moments later that I heard the distinct sound of a door opening then closing. Jake was soon at my side, pulling the door open and guiding me out of the car. He held my wrists as he started walking us forwards. Nervous anticipation settled inside of me as I wondered where we were headed.

A few shaky steps later, I heard what sounded like a lock turning, and then another door opening. Then I felt him behind me. His hands held a firm grip on my waist as he nuzzled into my neck. I couldn’t control the shiver that swept over me at his nearness.

“Take it off,” he whispered against me. I shivered again.

I could barely get my hands to operate correctly, let alone pull the blindfold off. But somehow I managed to, and the darkness, once again, greeted me.

“Open your eyes, Mel,” Jake whispered again.

I did.

Then I blinked.

And blinked again.

This couldn’t possibly be…?

“How… You?” I breathed out as Jake came to a stop in front of me. He nodded, and a sob tore free from my lungs. “You did… f-for me?” I stuttered.

Jake breathed in heavily and took a few steps backwards, making room for me to see what was right in front of me.

There was no denying what this was.

My warehouse.

This was my warehouse.

He had saved it.

He had saved me.

My feet pushed me forwards as I took in my surroundings. It looked so different than before, yet it felt exactly the same.

I continued walking, my fingers reaching out to touch everything they could find. Soft, gentle, barely-there strokes caressed the interior as though it would all break from the slightest pressure.

White walls were now grey with rows of shelving on every wall, as well as fabrics.

So many colours and all kinds of material. Tables were placed everywhere, with at least one chair behind each one. Mannequins, beams of lighting up above, and…

No. No, it couldn’t be.

I frowned. “This is…”

“Our table,” Jake answered for me, his soft breaths dancing across my skin.

I sucked in a sharp breath. “But… I don’t understand… This isn’t…?” I shook my head. “This can’t be mine.” I spun in a full circle, my head spinning as I attempted to take it all in. When my eyes landed on a China bowl in the corner of the room, another sob tore from my lips.

“It’s all yours, Mel. All of it.”

I brushed away the stray tears with the backs of my hand. “It can’t be. It’s too much.”

“Nothing is too much when it comes to you. Nothing,” he smiled softly.

Oh

“I love you, Mel. I’m in love with you. I’m pretty certain I’ve loved you since the moment I saw you in that gym skirt during our first week in college.”

I fought back a laugh as Jake closed the distance between us, his finger hooked under my chin as he tipped my head to meet his eyes. “I love you. These past few months have been hell without you. I don’t ever want to feel that kind of torture again. I’m asking you to stay. Stay here with me. Start your future here, in this place, with me?”

“I love you, too, Jake.” I blinked up at him.

“Is that a yes?” He smirked.

“Yes,” I giggled. “I’ll stay here, Jake. With you.” Then his mouth was on mine. A silent, beautiful promise that this time would be different.

And I believed him.

Because this time was different.

I could already feel it.