The view from my office in the McKenzie Holdings building never gets old. I’ve sat here many times, staring off toward the snowcapped mountains in the far distance while I think about current projects that I have on my desk. Today I’m not thinking about work. I’m thinking about the woman I love who is currently at home, packing.

Rachel leaves for Italy tomorrow morning and I’m not sure how I’m going to be able to say goodbye to her. I’m going to be joining her in just a little over a week, but it hurts that I’m not going to be able to accompany her over the ocean.

We have a date in Florence, which will have to keep me going while I miss her. Her beautiful face will appear daily on my phone while we video chat. I’ll still be able to hear her voice, but I won’t be able to touch her or bury my nose in the curve of her neck to inhale her scent. She says the curve of my neck is her calm. Well, hers is mine.

For the first time since I started working in the family company, I want to walk away from it all to be with Rachel. I know that it’s wrong of me, and probably stupid, but I want to be on the flight with Rachel tomorrow, it’s a desperation that I’ve never felt before.

I feel as though the morning is going to be the last time I see her, which is ridiculous. I can’t get rid of the feeling.

My palm rubs the ache in my chest as I catch my sister’s reflection through the window. Olivia leans against the entrance to my office, observing me in silence.

I’m not sure how long she’s been standing there as I sigh heavily and turn my chair in her direction. I rest my arms on the large oak desk in front of me and try to relax. I don’t succeed.

“I’m worried about you,” she says, sitting in one of the two visitor’s chairs. “You’ve never been distracted before.”

I offer a mirthless laugh. “I’ve never been preparing to say goodbye to the only girlfriend I’ve ever had.”

She shakes her head. “You do know she’s coming back, right?” She frowns. “I also thought you were heading over there in a week.”

“I am.”

Olivia looks surprised. “Then I don’t get it.”

“You don’t need to get it. Even I don’t get it. But my heart feels heavy because I have to put her on a plane in the morning.” I run my hands through my short hair. “She’s only been in my apartment a short time, but I can’t imagine not being with her. We’ve waited for years to be together and now that we are, I don’t want to spend a night away from her.”

I get up and moving out from behind my desk, I pace. “I know I’m a grown man, but … but, I need her to breathe, Olivia.”

Olivia jumps up and grabs my hands. She wraps her fingers around mine and holds tight. “You have to stop getting so worked up. Rachel is going to be fine for a week, and so are you.” She smirks. “Just think about the fun you’ll have when you’re back together. Distance makes the heart grow fonder after all—” she trails off with a soft smile.

“Funny.” I shake my head and smile.

Kissing her on the forehead, I say, “Just wait until it’s your turn to fall in love. You’ll understand where I’m coming from.”

“I’m too young to fall in love, unlike my cousins … and brother.” She chuckles and drops back into the chair. I sit beside her, catching a sigh leave her lips.

“I visited Charlotte and Garrett earlier.” Grinning, she meets my eyes. “It was fun playing with Elias, and McKenna is such a sweet baby.”

“Getting baby fever, Sis?” I nudge her foot with mine.

Olivia becomes serious. “I’m twenty-four, so yeah I still agree that I’m too young—”

“But?”

“—but, sometimes I wish that I had everything Charlotte does. Garrett is so completely in love with her and their children. She’s so happy Alex. And I think that I want that.” She looks off into the distance. “I guess with everyone falling like leaves, I’m feeling a bit out of the loop. I keep telling myself I’m too young, but am I really?”

She pauses for a moment, taking a deep breath. “I have a good job where I love doing what I do. I love my family, and I know everyone would be there for me if I ever needed them, but perhaps something really is missing from my life.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you talk like this before.” I watch her closely. “But, I will say, that if you are lucky enough to meet someone who turns your head, then don’t let the opportunity pass you by. You won’t know when it will arise again.”

I smile thinking about Rachel and her beautiful smile that she always gives me when she sees me. “There’s nothing like being with someone who you know loves you, who you know will be the one person you can always rely on.” I take one of her hands and intertwine our fingers. “It’s scary Olivia, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve waited a long time to have this chance with Rachel. It hasn’t been easy, but I’m not prepared to give her up for anything or anyone.”

Silence follows and then Olivia asks, “Does everyone in the family know about you both now?”

“I’m not sure.” I wince. “Jaxon does anyway.”

Olivia throws her head back and laughs. “I bet that went down well. What did he say?”

“He wasn’t happy to find out after Rachel had already left Boston to come to me. He said a lot of stuff made sense to him now though.” I shrug. “Rachel has been having trouble with Paige, which has interfered with everyone’s dynamic at college. He grumbled a bit, but finally said he’d see me when he was home.”

“Yeah, Mom said Jaxon wouldn’t be impressed he hadn’t known all along.”

“It is what it is.” I smile, and admit, “I really want to be on that plane with Rachel tomorrow.”

The chair squeaks as I lean against the back and follow the Lexington skyline with my eyes. I rapidly blink to get rid of the tears that have sprung up at the reminder of Rachel leaving.

I hear rustling and then my sister’s arms are wrapping around my chest from behind me. “I love you Alex, and if you want to fly over the ocean with Rachel then that’s what you have to do.” She kisses the side of my face, and continues, “I’ve heard that all you have to do is write up a few reports. You can do that on your laptop, right?”

My mouth opens to tell her no, except what comes out is, “Yes.”