Since Elle returned to California, I've submerged myself in my work. Not only on the joint project Talia and I are working on but also the pharmaceutical one as well, familiarizing myself with everything. After telling Elle about it, she suggested I take a step back from doing any work on it until I've accepted the job and my contract was signed. She feared Omni was taking advantage of me and wanted me to protect myself. I heeded her advice and informed Margie, who surprisingly agreed.

Now all there was left to do, was sign my contract. Each time I pulled it out to add my signature, I stopped. Working for Omni is my dream, so I don't understand why I’m hesitating to accept employment. It could have something to do with Elle, but I'm not sure what. She's already agreed to move here, and she's right, she can do her job from anywhere. In the two weeks since we've last seen each other, things have returned to normal. Well, as normal as Elle and I can be living three thousand miles apart from each other. The time difference flat out sucks. By the time she's finished any homework, I'm already in bed. When I'm up and walking to work, I text her, even though I know she's still sleeping. All I know is that in a few days, Elle and I will be together again.

When I took her to the airport, we had a proper goodbye. Something we should've had when I flew out to New York, but the both of us were battling some inner demons. Mostly, stubbornness. I should've told her when she asked about our fateful night, instead of lying to her, and she should've demanded answers from me. I suppose it was easier for us to pretend everything was okay when it wasn't. Lesson learned by both of us.

I smile at Talia as I approach my desk. Thankfully, things between us have been good, except she asks a lot of questions about 4225 West, which makes me uncomfortable. I get that she's a fan, but some things are better left unknown, like what kind of underwear Liam wears and if Harrison and Katelyn have an open relationship because they're not married. The latter question bothered me the most because they're my family. When I told Elle, she said it was common and suggested I stay away from looking at the comments people post on the band’s Instagram. Again, I took her advice and promised not to look.

"Today's the big day," she says, handing me a cup of coffee.

"Thank you," I say as I set it down on my desk, along with my bag. "Are you nervous?" Even though I have a job lined up, if I decide to take it, I'm still nervous. There's a certain amount of pride that comes with winning a competition, and honestly, I want to win. I want this for both Talia and me.

"I didn't sleep at all last night, although that could've been the flashing lights from the police cars. What was that about, do you know?"

I shake my head. "I'm afraid to find out. I didn't hear any gunshots or anything. Did you?"

"Nope, I heard nothing. Do you suppose the police will knock on our doors, asking us? It'll be like we're in the middle of one of the shows that film here."

I laugh, but she's right. Often, we'd have to reroute ourselves on our way home from work because of filming. I thought about signing up to be an extra, thinking it would've been fun, but never did. There's still time if I come back.

"If they're going to ask, they better do so quickly. What time is your flight tomorrow?"

"It's not until nine a.m. Want to grab dinner tonight? For old time's sake?"

"I'd love to, but I can't. I'm taking the eight-fifteen out of JFK to head home."

Talia masks her disappointment with a forced smile. "You probably have lots to do, right?"

I nod. "Classes start back up on Monday."

"Thankfully, I have a week off."

"Lucky. Right back to the grind. I can already feel senioritis setting in. Living close to the beach isn't going to help."

"What’s it like?" she asks. I'm on the cusp of telling her she should visit, but don't want to send the wrong message. Everyone is free to come to California. However, I don't want her to think I'm inviting her to stay with me. I know it's a hard assumption to make.

"It's amazing. It's always sunny and warm, and the sky is always blue. Granted, we do have crappy weather from time to time, but nothing like New York. We can go to the beach almost all year round. My friends and I surf a lot."

"Sounds like heaven. I've been landlocked my entire life until I came out here. Being near the water, albeit a gross infested river, was nice. I'm going to miss it. And you," she says.

"I'll miss you too, Talia. Thank you for being such an amazing co-worker."

There's an awkward silence between us, where we're just looking at each other. We both jump when my intercom goes off, and Margie’s assistant is requesting we meet the managers in the boardroom.

"Here we go," I say, motioning her to walk in front of me. When we arrive, the other four are filing into the room in front of us.

Roy looks confident, while Ashley looks like she's on the verge of tears. Tara is picking at her nails, and Jeff is fidgeting with his jacket, buttoning and unbuttoning it repeatedly. I want to set my hand on top of his to still his movements, but I don't. Instead, I stand behind Talia and wait for the outcome.

"Good morning," Margie's boss says. "We won't keep you long as we're all aware you have some packing to take care of and flights to catch." He looks at the six of us and smiles. "When Omni started the internship, the length was six months long, and we saw students waiting until the last minute to get their projects done. When we switched it to three months, productivity increased tenfold, giving us a better opportunity to assess the finest six applicants of the current graduating class. With that said, the Board is pleased with the outcome of your work. Each team has given their manager fresh new ideas to take our clients’ needs to the next level. However, this is a competition, with the winning team receiving an employment offer."

"Congratulations, Tara and Roy." We clap, even if it's half-hearted. I wanted to win, more so for Talia. Margie's boss goes on to say a few more things, but I've since tuned him out.

Talia and I walk back to our cubicle. She's somber, and I don't blame her. I pretend to be, but it's hard knowing I have a job waiting for me. "I'm going to go," I tell her. "I have a few things to do before my flight."

"Goodbye, Ben. If you're ever in Iowa, look me up." I hug her before leaving and don't tell her the same thing. She has my number, and if she uses it if she finds herself in Los Angeles, great. Although, I don't think Elle would like it too much.

The truth is, I have nothing to do, except go to the airport. I've been packed for the last couple of days and living out of my suitcase. As soon as I'm free of the building, I pull out my phone to call Elle.

"Hey," she says, answering immediately. "Did you win?"

"Nope, we lost, but I'm okay with it. Just sad for Talia."

"So now what?"

"Now, I'm going to wait at the airport and see if I can get on the standby list to fly home early."

"Okay, keep me updated. I have to run to class."

"Will do." I can’t wait to tell her that I love her again, but not over the phone. I want to look her in the eyes and say the words so she knows I mean them.

I only have to wait on standby for a few flights before I'm finally on a plane and heading back to Los Angeles. Elle promises to be at the airport, which pisses off my brother. He doesn't understand how I can forgive her so easily. It's easy; I'm in love. For most of the flight I sleep, and when I'm not sleeping, I'm scrolling through the pictures on my phone.

The second my plane touches down, I'm antsy, eager to get out of my seat and find Elle waiting for me at baggage claim. Before I even booked my flight, Elle said I could use the private jet, but I didn't want to seem like I was taking advantage of her or the band. Now I wish I did because the wait is killing me.

I'm in a full sprint, weaving in and out of people with my backpack slapping against my ass, which is somewhat annoying.

When I enter baggage claim, I stop dead in my tracks. There's my beautiful girlfriend standing there holding a sign with my name on it. I go to her and scoop her up into my arms and twirl her around. "I've missed you so much," I tell her. There's nothing like starting a relationship, and not being able to see each other when you want. FaceTime doesn't cut it.

"I've missed you too," she says as I put her down. Elle continues to hold my face and looks into my eyes. "I have something to tell you."

"Can it wait until we're home?" I ask. There are too many people in the airport right now, and I'd much prefer she tell me in private.

Elle shakes her head. "No, it can't."

"Okay, what is it?" My hands tighten around her waist, giving me a bit of security.

"I love you, Benjamin. It's taken me a long time to realize this, but now that I have, there's no stopping it. You’re my unexpected love, one I never thought I’d find, at least not in my best friend."

I lean down and kiss her. I've waited most of my life to hear those words from her, and we could be in a completely different situation had I had the courage to say them years ago. For all I know, we'd have been together, but we could also be apart, living life as former friends.

Elle doesn't take me back to our apartment complex but drives to her parents. I have to say I'm not exactly looking forward to spending time with Mr. and Mrs. PJ when I'd rather be alone with Elle, but I don't question her. It's late, and she's definitely up to something because each time I ask her what's going on, she clams up.

Because of the time change, I'm tired and rest my eyes while she drives us south. Had I known she wanted to come this way, I would've flown into a different airport. When her Wrangler slows down, I open my eyes, only I don't recognize where we are.

"Elle?"

"Hey, sleepyhead."

"Where are we?" I yawn and start stretching my cramped muscles.

"Malibu. I rented a house for the weekend."

"You did?"

She nods. "I thought we could use some time to ourselves without Quinn hanging around."

The console between keeps us separated, but I still manage to pull her into a kiss. "This is perfect. Come on there's something we need to do."

"What's that?" she asks as she gets out of her car. I rush around to the other side and pick her up. She squeals, making me laugh.

Once we're at the door, I put her down so she can unlock it. Inside, the house is white and gray, with massive floor to ceiling windows that look out over the ocean. Tomorrow, the view's going to be spectacular once the sun rises.

Elle takes my hand and leads me down the hall to the bedroom. She steps in first and holds the door, while I take in the surroundings. There are rose petals on the bed, floor, and furniture with what I’m hoping are battery operated candles burning, giving off a romantic ambiance.

"Elle?" I reach for her and press my lips together. "Are you sure?"

"I have never been surer."