Hunter woke with Manda in his arms. This is where he was supposed to be. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his rapid heartbeat. Now, who was panicking? He didn’t want her to leave tomorrow any more than she wanted him to leave her.

She stirred next to him. “Good morning.”

“Happy Valentine’s Day.”

Manda laughed. “Is it? I’ve completely lost track of the date.”

“Technically, we did most of our romantic stuff yesterday. I’m in rehearsal and then have the concert tonight.” Hunter kissed her forehead. “You’ll be at the concert, right?”

Manda grinned. “Of course. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Hunter’s cell rang. He considered not answering but grabbed it to see who it was. “It’s my agent.”

“Answer it.” She ran her fingers up and down his chest.

He stopped her hand as he answered the call. He’d never be able to concentrate with her doing that. “Hello.”

“We need you back here first thing Thursday morning. I have a contract for you to sign and interviews for your new manager before you go back on tour Tuesday night. If you can get here tomorrow night, that would be even better.”

Hunter cursed. He’d barely have time to see Manda off if he needed to be in LA tomorrow night. “Thursday morning is the earliest I can do it. I’m flying to Indiana tomorrow.”

“Your concert isn’t until next Thursday. Why are you flying to Indiana now?”

“Personal business. I acquired a girlfriend.”

His agent groaned. “You don’t have time for a girlfriend. I need you focused on what you do best. Writing and singing music.”

“Too bad. I will continue to do that, but I also intend to make time for her.” Hunter looked down at Manda.

She smiled up at him then sat up in bed pulling the sheet around her.

“Get here as soon as possible. Okay?”

“Gotcha.” Hunter hung up the phone, sat up, and put his arms around Manda. “I have to be back in LA Thursday morning. I’m not going to be able to stay with you after we get off the plane tomorrow.”

She sighed and leaned into him. “I don’t like it, but I understand. Jobs tend to be important and unfortunately, not always easy to predict.”

“Are you going to be all right when we land? You have someone picking you up at the airport?” He’d drive her back to her apartment if no one was going to be there. Screw his agent, he’d get there as soon as he could, but he was going to make sure she was safe before he left her.

Manda nodded. “My parents will be there.”

“Good.” He let out a sigh but was a bit disappointed. With her parents picking her up, he’d have no reason to stay with her once they landed. He’d have to get on another plane shortly after she left.

She turned around. “Can we at least have a Valentine’s Day breakfast together?”

“Of course. Everyone else can wait. You are my focus.”

Manda opened her mouth to say something but snapped it closed. She grinned, leaned over, and kissed his lips. “Breakfast, and maybe a little fun, before you get back to work?”

* * *

Manda took a deep breath and tried to control her rapidly building panic. What was she going to do? Could she handle going back to her old life? Was it going to be much different? She wanted to have fun. Take vacations and live her life. Not the life everyone else planned or needed her for.

Her breathing became shallow. A tear ran down her cheek. She blew out a couple of quick breaths and then held it for five seconds. It wasn’t working. Nothing was working.

She stood and paced the floor. Her heart raced so fast that it pounded against her ribcage. Her hands shook. She managed to make it to her purse but fumbled to find her anxiety medication. This was the wrong time to have an attack. She was alone and would be until Hunter was done on stage.

Maybe he’d notice she was missing and send someone to find her.

She growled trying to get the child-proof cap off the pill bottle. Tears came faster, and she gasped for air. Sweat beaded on her brow, and she swiped at it with her hand. The cap of the bottle came open and pills scattered all over the floor.

She sobbed as she fell to the floor and scrambled to pick one up, but her fingers refused to work.

A pill. She grasped it, grabbed the dresser, and wrenched herself to her feet. She stumbled as she made her way across the cabin and fell in front of the couch.

She heard the door open as her eyes closed. Familiar arms closed around her and lifted her onto the couch.

“It will be all right,” Hunter whispered.

A smile crossed her face right before she lost consciousness.

* * *

Hunter paced waiting for the doctor to come back to the infirmary waiting room with an update.

J.J. walked in. “The concert starts in fifteen minutes. You need to get to the stage.”

“Not until I know she’s okay.”

“The cruise line paid you to do this concert.”

“And the people there can wait a little while. I’m not leaving her until I know she’s okay. Go let them know I’m going to be late. I’ll be there when I can.”

The doctor stepped out of the small exam room. “You can come in. She’s resting.”

Hunter rushed to Manda’s side and dropped into the chair next to the bed, taking her hands in his.

Manda’s eyes fluttered open. “Hunter?”

“I’m here.”

“How did you—” She trailed off, taking a deep breath.

“You were supposed to meet me before the concert, remember? When you didn’t show up, I came looking for you.” He brushed her hair out of her face. “What happened?”

“I’m scared to go back to my life. I can’t go back to doing what everyone else wants. I want to do what I want. I want to have my own life.”

“You will, and I will make sure of it, okay?” Hunter stood and gently gave her a hug.

She glanced at her watch. “Your concert’s about to start.”

“I told J.J. to let them know I’ll be late.”

The doctor came in. “If you’re feeling up to it. I can release you. We gave you valium, so you should be fine for the rest of the night. And you have another to take tomorrow.”

Manda chuckled then frowned.

“What?” Hunter sat on the edge of her bed.

“If they gave me Valium, I should be fine on the plane ride home. That stuff works a long time for me.”

“It’s not going to stop me from flying home with you.” Hunter shook his head. “Come on, the doctor said you could leave. Let’s get you back to your room.”

“What about your concert?”

“You’re more important.”

Manda sat up slowly and leaned forward to kiss his lips. “You’re wonderful. Now, let’s go to your concert. I promise I’ll be just fine sitting in the wings, and you’ll still be able to keep an eye on me.”

“All right.” Hunter nodded. He stood and helped her to her feet. “Afterward, you’re going to bed.”

“But that will—”

He shook his head. “We have the whole plane ride home tomorrow. You need to rest tonight.”

She took a deep breath. “If you insist.”

“I do.” Hunter took her hand, and together they walked to the concert hall.