Hmmm… he reached for the warm body he’d cuddled against for hours. But there was nothing there. The sheets were cold, chilled by the perennial Vegas air conditioning.

Kendall rolled over and stared at the light filtering through the floor to ceiling windows. The shades were partially drawn but he could tell it was late already. Around noon.

He stretched, feeling a strange sense of contentment. That's when he realized the warm soft body he'd been holding all night wasn’t just not in the bed, it was nowhere near the bed.

He turned just in time to see Jessica buttoning the top of her jeans. He sat up abruptly.

"Hey."

Her head snapped up to stare at him. She looked embarrassed and… furtive in a way. And somehow even more beautiful with her face still soft from sleep.

The realization hit him like a ton of bricks.

She'd been about to sneak out on him.

"Hey."

"What are you doing?"

She smiled apologetically as she stuffed her top into the shopping bag. He noticed that the smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

"I have to go."

"What? I thought we were having a good time."

"We are. I just - I have to get to work. I already called in sick for today. Sunday is always busy at the clinic."

He ran his hands through his hair.

"Okay. Can I call you?"

Her big blue eyes blinked at him in surprise. Did she really think he wouldn't want to call her after this? She had no idea how he felt about her. Or how out of character this whole night had been for him.

"Um. Do you do that?"

He cocked his head. He was trying not to get annoyed. One thought kept rotating through his mind.

God dammit, she'd actually been about to sneak out on him! Not just sneaking out either. She’s been out to sneak out without saying goodbye.

He didn't like that. He didn't like it at all.

Kendall sat up and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Do I know how to use a phone?"

She frowned and looked away.

"That's not what I meant. Maybe it's better to just… leave it."

He rolled to his feet.

"Jess. I'd like to see you again."

She shook her head.

"That's not going to happen and we both know it.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Look, I’m sorry about last night. I should have told you that I’m…”

Her voice trailed off and he stepped closer, his hands brushing over her shoulders. She bit her lip and looked away.

“That you’re what?”

She sighed and shook her head.

“It doesn’t matter. Just leave it to say that I’m not as, you know, experienced as you are. I know when I’m out of my league.”

Was that what was bothering her?

“I don’t care about how many guys you’ve been with, Jess.”

“Yeah but… I haven’t been with any.”

“What?”

“Never mind, I really do need to head back.”

He stared at her. She was going to just leave. He'd never see her again. The thought sent a cold spear of fear straight through him.

He missed her already and she was standing right there!

"Listen, I have only got a few more shows on this leg and then I'll be back in LA in eight days. Can we do something then?"

She frowned and pulled her hair back into a ponytail.

"You're just saying that to be nice. I know how this works. You don't have to pretend for me."

"I'm not being nice dammit.”

She sighed and rolled her eyes at him. Clearly she did not believe him. He tried to focus, to think of what to say, and how to get her to talk to him.

"I really do have to go now, Kendall."

He followed her out into the hallway.

"How are you getting back?"

She gave him a winsome smile that gave him a twisty feeling in his chest.

"There's a bus. It's only fifty bucks!"

"That's silly. Let me-"

"No, it's fine. But- do you mind if I keep this?"

She tugged on the button down shirt she was wearing. His shirt from last night. He shook his head.

"Yeah, of course."

He felt horrible. Like he was losing something precious. She didn't want him to call her though. What the hell was he supposed to do?

He trailed her down the stairs to the front door of the suite. The place was empty thankfully. All the half naked bodies had moved to greener pastures.

"Can I kiss you goodbye?”

Her eyes lifted to his and she nodded. Once.

He walked over to her and pulled her towards him. This time he kissed her with every trick he'd learned over the years. He wanted her to remember this. She kissed him back with as much feeling as he was giving her. He growled and pressed her against the wall.

A few minutes later he realized she was gently pushing against his chest. He stared down at her tiny hands against his shirt and realized she was trying to step away from him. He dropped his arms.

“Goodbye, Kendall. And thank you for everything.”

She smiled at him. Then he watched her walk out of the suite and out of his life. He’d known all along she was a good girl. He hadn't realized she was a virgin. He had come on too strong, scared her off. And there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it.

It was only when he got back upstairs that he realized she'd left all the gifts he'd bought her behind.

Even the necklace.

A few hours ago he’d felt like the possibilities were endless. He’d thought he might have met someone real, someone he could be with long term. Maybe forever.

He picked up the necklace and stared at the ruby heart in his hand.

Then he made a fist around it.