As much as Denni loved to tell me life stories, she kept enough things to herself that even though we'd been intimate all weekend and had talked and laughed together as if we'd known each other for an eternity, there was still a lot about her I didn't know. Like, for example, where we would be once we drove away from the cabin and the weekend slipped into the past.

We'd spent all night in front of the fire, having some of the best damn sex of my life. I hated to think like a shallow asshole, but I was really going to miss having her naked in my arms.

We'd nibbled on leftover crackers and sipped coffee and then I closed up the cabin. I'd tucked Dad's laptop into my duffle, not convinced I'd start writing but at least firmly committed to think more about the possibility. Denni had accepted that as holding up my end of the bargain. 'For now' she'd added, and I tried hard not to allow myself to believe that meant we'd see each other again.

We walked along the uneven trail to the car. Denni kicked at the occasional pinecone and stopped every so often to watch a squirrel or scrub jay in action on a tree branch.

"Denni, where are you heading once we get back to the highway? I'll take you wherever you need to go. I want you to be safe . . . and secure . . . and—" I stopped and badly wanted to finish with the words 'and mine forever' but it was stupid to even send my mind that direction. Other than the incredible bond we'd created in just two days time, Denni had never given me any indication that she wanted this to go any further than it already had.

She shifted her heavy backpack on her shoulder, a bleak reminder that she was on a journey and that she had no intention of stopping in any one place. "Actually, if you can take me as far as the turnoff to Redmond, I can catch a ride."

I stopped. "You're going back to Redmond? You really do like those bats." I focused on the conversation, trying hard not to let my true feelings show.

"Well, the bats are a perk, but I'm starting a job there tomorrow. At the diner. I asked about the job when I went up to pay the check." She shoved her hands in her back pockets and continued walking. "I figured it was about time I found a job and started looking out for myself. I'm going to stay at the motel until I can afford more."

I nodded but couldn't speak. She was moving on, and I was heading home to my life, the life before Denni. A prospect that seemed even more grim since Denni had popped into my life and shown me the difference between being begrudgingly content and blissfully happy.

I swallowed back the dryness in my throat and managed to speak. "I'll take you to Redmond. I don't mind. I don't want you to hitchhike on that desolate road. It's not safe."

She reached down and took hold of my hand. We walked in silence for awhile with only the forest music to entertain us.

"Thank you, Luke. It's been a long time since I've had someone worry about me. I've forgotten what it feels like." She pushed her hair behind her ear as a faint smile crossed her lips. "It feels nice."

We drove the hour to the Redmond turnoff, talking about fluffy, meaningless things like the best way to eat peanut butter and about which Seinfeld episode was the best. Denni stayed next to me, holding my hand or touching my thigh or resting her head against my shoulder. I kept wishing the miles to Redmond would stretch on forever.

The sky was gloomy from a grouchy looking set of gray clouds when we reached the shabby motel, the place she intended on calling home for awhile. I hadn't noticed the tears in Denni's eyes until we were standing outside of the truck. She secured her backpack on her shoulder and turned to face me.

"That motel room isn't going to be nearly as much fun without you," she said with just enough shake in her voice to make my chest feel heavy. "If you're ever in town," she said with a sweet, short laugh, "stop by."

I was such a sap I couldn't get any words out, and there were plenty stuck in my tight throat. Stay with me. I don't ever want you to leave my side. Be with me forever. Those were all the words flashing through my head, but the only ones I could utter were "stay safe, Denni. Please."

She threw her arms around me, and I held her until the first drops of rain fell. Then with a quick kiss, the girl of my dreams turned around and walked away from me.