Bruce left Fountain Hills with his old friends that night. They suggested flying back to Boston together, but he insisted on going back to Los Angeles, maintaining that he wanted to see Matt and collect his motorcycle. Nevertheless, the next flight to Los Angeles was scheduled to leave in the morning. Bruce had to spend the night in Phoenix.

The thought of reading Melissa’s letter flashed through his mind, as he found himself all alone in a small hotel room. Intrigued by the thickness of the envelope, lying on a narrow bed, he opened it and pulled the lengthy letter out of it.

“My dearest Bruce,

They say that finding your significant other is hard; maybe harder than some people think. I agree. It’s not just hard. In today’s world, it’s almost impossible. There is so much distrust, so much stress that people tend to focus on their personal needs, not caring about others. Well, most of them do.

I guess I got lucky, then. I found my significant other in a bar, or, perhaps I should say, he found me. There he was, big and strong, talking to me when most locals wouldn’t even risk a glance at me. He didn’t know anything about my father. I lied to him, thinking that he’d run if he found out who I was. But you know what? He didn’t run. He stayed. He believed in what he had, even though it was new and he forgave me for lying to him. Then, I was honest with him. My man had baggage, too. He used to be an outlaw. He wouldn’t tell me at first. It really amazed me that he felt sorry about whatever he’d done. He was still hurting; I could tell by the look in his eyes, on the night we met. That’s why I asked his friend’s help. I wanted to see him again. I said to myself: ‘That man’s got soul. He’s true.”

You proved me right. You changed everything I ever believed about bikers, but that’s nothing compared to everything else you made me feel. You made me feel wanted. Special. You made me laugh. You barely knew me, but you weren’t afraid to come clean about your past. What kind of man does that? Well, the rare kind. Someone who’s not afraid to open up.

I still can’t believe what you did this morning. You risked your life for me. Nothing says ‘I love you’ like an act of heroism. You were willing to put your life on the line, just to take me with you. I really can’t describe what I felt, when I saw you on my lawn. I wanted to hug you, kiss you all over and tell you how much I loved you. Because I do love you, baby. I don’t know how that’s even possible, but I do. How could I not love the man who just… took me as I was? Who forgave the lies I told him about me? The man who made every moment so special that I thought I was living in a fantasy?

My father pushed me really hard last night. He wanted to know everything about you. He said that if I didn’t tell him, he’d never stop hunting you. He gave me no choice. I told him all about the money you and Matt had found on the street and your motorcycle club. He promised not to hurt you. I said ‘ok, but I want to see him again.’ I was being honest when I said that I was about to fly to L.A. this morning. I needed to see you again, talk to you, hug you, feel your hands on my body… God knows how much I wanted to tell you about my father’s plan. But I couldn’t. Deep down, I knew that you would take this the wrong way. You think my father is ruthless. I can’t blame you. He is, but I believed him today. I don’t think he would lay a hand on you.

What you said this morning really broke my heart. Ok, you got mad at me, but was what I did really that bad? I had to protect you, baby. I would do anything to keep you safe. I had to make sure that, after tonight, you’d go back to fixing bikes, somewhere in Boston, with me by your side. I had a dream about that the other night, you know. It was just you and me, in your workshop, changing a tire on my bike. You cut yourself with a wrench and I hugged you. You kissed me and you told me you loved me. God, it felt so good that I didn’t want to wake up…

We’re on the plane to Phoenix right now. You’re all alone and you won’t even look at me. I’m so sorry, baby. I did this for us. Please tell me that you’ve forgiven me. Please take me back. Please say that we can dance to ‘Love Bites’ again. Please make my dream of being with you come true.

Love,

Melissa

Bruce tossed the letter on the bed, sensing tears streaming down his face. Overwhelmed by emotion, he covered his eyes with his hand, as the events of the night returned to his mind…

“You’ll always hold a special place in my heart, Melissa. Even if I end up with someone else, I’ll always wonder if I was actually meant to be with you. I’d love to just… fly back to you, but I know how that is going to end: We’ll both cry our eyes out again. I miss you …”