Well, today was the day I had been dreading for the past nine days. Today she was leaving. I was not typically an overly emotional person, but there was an all too familiar feeling of sadness that was beginning to take up residence in my heart. I would miss her, not just physically, but emotionally as well. When I was around her, I found myself wanting to be a better man. Her outlook on life, in spite of all the baggage that she was carrying, was fresh and positive, and honestly, those were two things that I needed a whole lot more of in my life.

When I woke this morning, I found Brooke still snuggled up to me, almost as if she had belonged there all along. I couldn’t recall a time when I had slept next to a woman when all I did was hold her all night. She had told me that she wasn’t ready to move to that level of intimacy in our relationship. At first, it had felt like a small slap in the face, but last night, lying there holding her like that, I totally understood. She wanted me to romance her from afar, a challenge I eagerly looked forward to taking on. Brooke would be the first woman I had the opportunity to romance. With Charlotte I had just been too young and inexperienced to do it right. This time, with Brooke, I wasn’t going to leave any stone left unturned. I intended to make her feel special, even if it was from a thousand miles away.

“Are you all packed?” I asked as I entered her room. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding a framed photo of all of us that Nikki’s fiancé had taken when we were at Mom and Dad’s house for dinner. When Natalie came in last night, she had handed it to Brooke as a memento of her time here. Mom had written a note to go along with the photo. Inside it she told Brooke that she always had a place in our family and that their home was now her home as well; she was welcome anytime. I could tell that she had been crying, so I sat down beside her and held her for a moment.

“Yeah, there wasn’t much to pack.” She shrugged. “We should probably get ready to go,” she spoke softly.

“Sweetie, I know you’re having a hard time with this, so am I. You know that we’re going to be okay, right? If that’s what you’re worried about, it’s not even an issue. As much as my ego would like to think that this is all about me, I’ve got a feeling that it is something much more than that. You’re having a hard time leaving all of them, aren’t you?” She nodded slowly. “I understand that. They filled a gaping hole in your heart. But don’t worry, I know my family, and they will be calling you regularly. I’ll make sure Mom and Natalie have your number and your email.” I placed a hand on her chin, and she lifted her eyes to mine. “They won’t forget you. None of us will.”

“Thank you.” She released a long breath. “I feel like now when I have finally found people who love me and want me around, I have to walk away from it all. I’ve gotten spoiled being around your family. Please promise me that you will never take them for granted, Sebastian. They are precious. I would give anything to have that kind of care and love from my family. Don’t ever forget how incredibly fortunate you are. You are a very rich man, and I don’t mean financially.”

“I promise. Thank you for helping me remember that. I love my family very much, and you’re right, I am very lucky. But, as rich as I am to have them and all of this,”—I swept my hand over the space before us—“you coming into my life made all of that look like chump change.”

“You’re just trying to sweet talk me.” She bumped me with her elbow.

“Well, if that’s the case, then I think you’d better prepare for a sugar overload.” I pushed her gently down on the bed, kissing her one last time before heading to the airport.

* * *

I don’t care what time you pull into LAX, that place is always a nightmare to navigate. I had driven as slowly as I could, without ticking off the other drivers, trying my best to delay saying that final good-bye. I circled around a few times before I was able to find a place to park. Brooke kept insisting that I could just drop her off, but I wouldn’t have any part of it. I needed to be able to send her off with a proper hug.

“Promise you’ll text me before you board the plane?”

“Yes, I promise.” She smiled, crinkling up that adorable little nose. “And I promise to text you when I land, and call you when I walk in my apartment. Anything else?” She winked.

“Yeah, call me before you go to sleep. I want to hear your voice before you go to bed. Then call me when you wake up so I can hear you when your voice is all cute and sleepy-sounding.” I rubbed my nose playfully against hers.

“You do realize that there is a three-hour time difference?” She chuckled.

“I know. I’ll just pretend that I’m going to bed too.” I puckered my lips and gave hers a teasing smack.

“I’d better go in. It looks like it might take a while to get through security.” We both looked through the glass and saw long lines waiting to go through the security scanners. “I’m going to miss you so much.”

“I’m going to miss you too, but we’ll see each other soon.”

“I think I need another bone crusher,” she pouted, her soft pink lips turned down pitifully.

“I’ve always got one of those for you. Come here.” She stepped into my waiting arms, and I slipped them around her small waist, then gripped my wrist tightly before pulling her in for the tightest bone crusher I had ever given. For a brief moment, it felt as if we were so tight that we had actually bonded together, becoming one.

“I’m so thankful that those men mugged me that day. Without them, I wouldn’t have had the best week of my life. I love you, Sebastian.”

“It’s been the very best week of my life as well. I love you, Brooke, so very much.” Then our lips pressed together for one final mind-blowing kiss, one that I was sure neither of us would soon forget.

* * *

BROOKE

That kiss rocked my world; I felt it spread through my body like a raging fire, alerting all of my senses to respond. His lips felt like silk on mine, and the way his tongue would mingle with mine and make itself comfortable, all of it made my legs weak and rubbery. Walking away from him had been one of the hardest things I had experienced in a long time. The only thing that made this parting easier had been the knowledge that I would get to see him again at some point in time, unlike my last parting from Devon. There really was no comparing the two men. They were complete opposites in the looks department, both good-looking, but where Sebastian was dark-haired with tanned skin, Devon had been blond and very fair.

Getting through security had taken some time, forty-five minutes to be exact. I pulled out my phone to check the time, and the background image brought a smile to my face. It was a selfie that was taken during our last walk on the beach. He had been holding me, and I’d pulled out my phone and snapped it. I made my way through the busy airport, stopping to buy a bottle of water and a cup of coffee before settling into my seat near the gate. I had only a short time to kill before I boarded the plane, so I decided to send him a quick text.

I’m about to board the plane, just hanging out waiting for them to call my zone.

Sebastian: Did you remember to take your Dramamine?

I just bought a coffee and water, and I’m taking it now. Thanks for reminding me

Sebastian: You’re welcome. That’s what good boyfriends do

So, you’re officially my boyfriend now?

Sebastian: Yep, and you’re officially my girlfriend.

That’s so cool. My boyfriend is Sebastian Miles. I’m a lucky girl.

Sebastian: Ha ha. Well, just think how lucky I am. I get to be Brooke Caldwell’s boyfriend. I think that if this were a contest, I would be the obvious winner.

Boyfriend, you say the best things

Sebastian: Love you, beautiful. Now, go take your medicine and board the plane, and if you fall asleep, I hope you dream of me.

You know what’s so funny about that? Even before I met you, I used to dream about you. So I would say it’s highly likely I’ll be dreaming of you, only now the dreams will be of things we actually did instead of what I would do if I ever met you.

Sebastian: Miss you already.

The flight home was uneventful, thankfully, and when I exited the airport, I found Jade parked and waiting for me. When she saw me approaching, she hopped out and ran over to me, squealing with delight.

“Oh, I am so glad you’re back home! I’ve missed you, girl.” Her arms opened, inviting me in for a hug, and she squeezed me tight. “I hope you don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. It is pretty boring around here without you. Marmalade even grew tired of my complaining.”

“That’s pretty bad.” I laughed. “I’m not sure how many trips are in my future. I know he wants to see me again.” I grinned and shrugged.

“Wow, that is so amazing, Brooke. Do you have pictures? I’m dying to hear about all of it.” I opened up my phone and showed her the photos we had taken during the week. She nearly deafened me when she saw a picture of me with Dek. I couldn’t wait to give her the picture he signed. When she saw the one of Sebastian and me on the beach, she held her hand to her mouth, and her eyes got watery. “Oh my gosh, Brooke, I can totally see how much he loves you in this photo. Look at his face, the way he is looking at you. He isn’t just looking at you; he adores you. That is so precious.” She hugged me one more time before turning back to the car. “Okay, we have to get home. I want to hear all about it, even though I am sure I will be insanely jealous. I need to hear about how you two fell in love. This is so exciting!”

“You have no idea how exciting it is,” I replied softly, still staring at the photo, but now through eyes that had been fully opened. I sent Sebastian a quick text.

Landed safely, now telling Jade our love story.

Sebastian: Be sure to leave a few things to her imagination, not knowing that stuff will put her over the edge Call me later.

After we arrived back at the apartment and I finished my story, I took my bags into my room and started unpacking. I came across the photo Dek had signed, and I went back out into the living room to find Jade.

“I have a present for you, well, two actually.”

“Oh goody, presents! Let me see.” She wiggled her fingers in the air, trying to grasp the items. “Oh, I love it!” she exclaimed when I handed her a Paradox band T-shirt, signed by all of the guys. Then I pulled the second gift from behind my back and waited for her reaction. “Holy crap! Did he actually write this to me? Get out of here! He wants to meet me? I think I’m going to pass out. You know CPR, don’t you?”

“Jade, calm down, you’re going to hyperventilate. Breathe, sweetie. Yes, he actually signed that, after seeing your picture first. He insisted that I show him a photo before he wrote that to you. He even talked about you the last time I saw him.” I smiled smugly.

“No way! What did he say?”

“Oh, you know, that he thought he would come to Michigan with Sebastian and meet my cute little friend.” She punched me in the arm and screamed. “Ow!” I protested, rubbing the affected area.

“Sorry, that is just about the best thing I’ve ever heard. I can’t believe you got to spend the whole week in his house, and in his arms. That’s so romantic. It sounds like you two are pretty serious. How is it going to work long distance? Is he going to play the field while you are away?”

“I don’t know,” I frowned. “I don’t think so. I think he’s pretty committed to this.”

“Well, I think it is just so romantic. You got to live the fantasy of most of the girls in the continental United States. That is wicked awesome, my friend.”

“Yeah, it was,” I replied dreamily.

Later that night, I called Sebastian to say good night. We talked for an hour. He told me about his day in the studio, and, for a short time, I was able to pretend I was still there with him. Sleep that night was slow to come, but when I did finally manage to drift off, I dreamed sweet dreams of the two of us walking on the beach, collecting seashells and stopping to kiss in the sand.