I think back to everything that’s happened tonight and smile. It was so perfect. Riley is not only skilled but also a generous lover. No wonder he’s had so many girlfriends. I cringe when I think about the bevy of babes from his past. I’ve never really liked any of the women he’s dated, but I put up with them knowing that they had a short shelf life. Now look at me. I’m another notch on the bedpost just like them.

I mentally shake my head, refusing to put myself in the same category. I know what Riley and I shared tonight was special. Different. He even said that he’s never been so in sync with someone before. Riley and I are so attuned to each other outside of the bedroom that it makes sense it would carry over. He tightens his arms around me and I nuzzle into him. God, I could get used to this. I know I said I didn’t have time for a relationship but loving Riley is so effortless. And the fact that we’re so compatible sexually is just the icing on the cake. Wait…did I just say I love Riley? Well, of course I love him. But am I in love with him? Oh crap, I am! I totally am! If I’m being honest with myself, I have been for years. I’ve just always had this wall in place preventing me from going there in my head. But tonight, any barriers we had were broken down and then some.

Why couldn’t I have had this epiphany sooner? Would he even want a relationship with me now? Could we have one being three thousand miles away? My internship only lasts for one year. Maybe I could move to Boston until Riley finishes grad school then we could figure it out from there. We’ll both be so busy, time will probably fly by. I decide to take Riley’s advice and act on impulse.

“Hey, Rye?” I whisper.

“Hmm?” he mumbles sleepily.

“I love you.”

He doesn’t say anything so I shift to see his face. His eyes are closed and his breathing is even. Is he asleep? A soft snore confirms it. What’s the proper protocol here? Should I wake him up? He looks so peaceful…I don’t want to disturb him. I roll back over and close my eyes. We can talk after we’ve both had some rest.

RILEY

“I LOVE YOU.”

Fuck. Why did she have to say that? I focus on taking deep, even breaths so she thinks I’m asleep. I even add a little snore when I feel her turn towards me. Yep, I’m a total asshole. But what the fuck am I supposed to do? Sex wasn’t supposed to change things between us. We had a deal! I’ve just had the best night of my entire life and she had to ruin it by dropping the L word. What’s she thinking? I’m freaking the fuck out right now. Okay, so maybe I have…feelings for her too. She’s my best friend. Of course I feel affection for her. But love? That’s insane. I can’t be in love with someone when I’m moving across the country. I’m not a relationship type of guy. Especially not a long distance relationship. There’s no way I could ever be the man she deserved. I don’t do monogamy. Not for more than a few weeks at a time anyway. She knows this. What the fuck was she thinking telling me she loves me? I am clawing at my insides for an answer. What am I supposed to do? The only thing I can think of is pretend I didn’t hear her. That’s the most diplomatic way of handling this, right? I’ll remind her in the morning what this weekend was all about before she has a chance to broach the subject again. Then we’ll go back to being friends and everything’s good. Easy, right?

DEVYN

SUNLIGHT SLICES THROUGH THE room, effectively ending my deep sleep. The absence of heat from Riley’s body clues me in to the fact that he’s missing before I even turn over to confirm it. I listen for any signs of him in the bathroom. I sit up when I realize that I’m the only one in our room. Where the heck is he? He wouldn’t have just left in the middle of the night, right? No, that’s ridiculous.

I look around as my eyes adjust to the brightness and find a note on the nightstand.

I smile at his thoughtfulness. Riley knows I can’t function before having at least one cup of coffee. I decide to take a quick shower to freshen up before he returns. As I exit the bathroom wearing nothing but the hotel-issued robe, I find him leaning against the dresser.

I smile. “Hey.”

“Hey.” He holds up two cups from Starbucks. “I thought you might need some caffeine before heading back to your apartment.”

I grab one and take a healthy sip. “Mmm, you thought right.”

I think he groaned. “Uh…good.”

I cock my head to the side and study him. He looks uncomfortable. “You okay?”

He chokes a little on the sip he was taking. “What? Uh, yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Okay, why is he being so twitchy? Is this normal morning after behavior? Does he regret last night? “You’re acting weird, Riley. What’s going on?”

He clears his throat. “Weird? Huh. I don’t feel weird. I think you’re letting your imagination get the best of you, Dev.”

I put my hand on my hip. “Spill it, Rye. Why are you being so cagey? Do you regret what happened last night?”

He looks shocked. “What? God, no.” He sets his coffee on the dresser and walks over to me. “Why would you ask that? Do you have regrets?”

I shake my head and make direct eye contact. “Not a single one.”

He smiles. “Well, then we’re in agreement. No regrets.”

RILEY

OKAY, THIS IS IT. I need to cut off any chance of the L word showing its face again. I grab her coffee out of her hand and place it next to mine. I don’t feel like being scalded if this goes downhill. “Last night was fun. A lot of fun.”

“Fun?” she repeats.

I employ the panty-melting grin. “Sure. I had a great time. Didn’t you?”

She scowls. “You could say that…”

I can see her mind working overtime. She’s always been an open book around me. She’s wondering if I heard her last night. She’s wondering if she should bring it up. That would be a hell no. Time to finish this.

I grab my bag, sling it over my shoulder, and place her car keys in her palm. “Here’s your keys. I need to get back to school. There’s been a change of plans. My parents called while I was getting coffee. They’re coming into town a bit early to help me box up all my stuff before graduation.”

Her jaw drops. “You’re leaving? How are you getting home?”

I shrug. “I’m taking the train. They’re going to pick me up from the station in Eugene.”

“Oh,” she says in barely more than a whisper. “So, I guess I’ll see you when I get back tomorrow then?”

“Maybe...I’ll be pretty busy with my folks. They want to load all my stuff into our trucks before grad so we can leave right after the ceremony. I’m going back to Napa with them for a short visit before heading out to Boston.”

She looks dumbfounded. “And this was all planned during your coffee run?”

The story was. My parents really are on their way but they won’t be in town until tomorrow morning. “Huh? No, I’ve been planning to spend a few days in Napa for weeks now. I’m sure I must’ve told you.”

She gulps. “It must’ve slipped your mind.”

I shrug. “My bad.”

She sits on the end of the bed. “So…I guess I’ll see you when I see you?”

I place my hand on the doorknob. “Yep. I’ll see ya later. Thanks for a fun night, Dev.”

I think she muttered something as I closed the door but I’m not positive.

DEVYN

I’M JUST ABOUT TO step out for lunch when I feel a sudden wave of nausea. I spot the ladies’ room up ahead and increase my pace. As soon as I make it to the stall, I lose the contents of my stomach and heave until there’s nothing left. I hear the restroom door open as I’m hunched over and try to remain as quiet as possible.