“Are you sure you have to leave? He’s in jail. He can’t hurt you,” Jenna said.

“Yeah. I can’t stay here. Just think—you’ll always have somewhere to stay when you want to visit Cali. We’ll scope out the star’s homes.”

“It won’t be the same without you.”

“I wish you’d stay, chickie,” Tim whispered when he gave me a hug.

“I’ll miss you guys, too.” I hugged and kissed them both and stepped through the metal detector. I waved one last time before turning and making my way to my gate.

I hadn’t seen Brody since the night at the hospital. I texted him twice to tell him I was leaving for California and wanted to tell him goodbye. He never answered. I guess that was my goodbye. It left a hollowness in my heart that I knew would never be filled. It was Brody’s. Only he could take it away—only he could fill it.

I went to Aunt Bess’ and said goodbye to everyone at the bar. Aunt Bess pulled me into a tight hug. “You love him, don’tcha? Things that happened… you were made to do that.”

My throat clogged and I nodded, crying against the soft skin of her neck that smelled slightly of lavender and burger grease. “Yes,” I finally said. “I’ve always loved him. Always will.”

“If you ever make it back to Middleton, I expect to see your pretty face here. You and me, we’ll have ourselves a milkshake.” Aunt Bess stepped back and wiped the tears from my cheeks. “I love you, kiddo. You’re a strong woman with an old soul.”

“I love you, too. And if I’m ever in Michigan I’ll be here to get that milkshake. You can bet money on that,” I said with a laugh through my tears.

I called Anne when I got home from seeing Bess.

“I’ve missed seeing you, Willow. You know, I grew to love you. That hasn’t changed.”

“Thanks. I love you too. You always make me feel like part of your family…” I started to cry and couldn’t finish.

“I wish you’d stay and go to school in Michigan, but I understood why you feel the need to leave. Maybe you’ll find your way back one day.”

“Maybe,” I answered, knowing the chances were next to nothing of me returning to Michigan.

“You have a safe trip, Willow. Let me know if you need anything. I mean that. Anything at all, I’m always here.”

I wiped the tears off my face with the back of my hand. “Thank you.” My voice shook when I answered.

“Oh, sweetie, don’t cry. This is a new chapter in your life. An exciting one. An adventure. You’re finally free to do what you want. This is a good thing.” I could hear the smile in her voice, and I didn’t have the heart to disagree. But the truth was, it wasn’t an exciting new chapter in my life. Not without Brody.

And Brody was never mentioned.

The plane shimmied and shook as it roared down the runway. I had a death grip on the armrests when I felt the wheels lift off the ground. A lump grew in my throat, and it felt like a hand was squeezing my heart. Sadness flowed through me. I knew I’d never set foot in Middleton again. Probably not even in Michigan.

As the miles ticked by, the less the hand squeezed and the more my heart sang. Was I sad? Maybe. Did I have regrets? Yes—I’d wanted to see Brody once more before I left. Was I happy? Yes. My nightmare was finally over. I didn’t have any more secrets.

I was free.

“I can’t believe I’m going to be late for my first day of class,” I muttered. “I don’t even have time to stop for a freakin’ Starbucks.” I jogged across the campus to the building where my first class was held. I threw open the door and nearly hit the students standing in the hall talking. “Excuse me,” I yelled over my shoulder. “Sorry.”

I made it to the lecture hall just before the professor started his lecture, which was more a warning of what he expected of us and what we could expect to get out of the class. From what I could tell, it would be lots and lots of homework and even more exams. Sounded like lots of fun.

I was glancing through the syllabus when someone set something on my desk. I looked up and a Starbucks cup was next to my textbook. I turned, and his sapphire eyes stared into mine.

“Caramel Macchiato, right?”

“Mm-hmm.” I nodded. I couldn’t find my voice. I definitely couldn’t form words.

“I’ll meet you outside after your class is over.” He turned and walked out of the lecture hall.

It was the longest class ever. I didn’t think my professor would ever shut up.

“How’d you find me, Ace?”

“Were you trying to hide? Because if you were, you shouldn’t have put your name in the campus directory.” He grinned. The crooked one that always melted my heart.

“What are you doing here, Brody?”

“Trying to ask a girl out on a date. So far, I don’t think it’s going well.”

“You came all the way to California to ask me on a date?”

“Who said it was you?” he teased.

I sighed and looked away, drumming my fingers on the strap of my messenger bag. “I—”

“Give us a chance, Willow. Things could’ve been different if it wasn’t for Ralph and everything he put you through. Things can be different. I love you. I always have. My world wasn’t complete until you entered it. It’s been hell without you.”

I shook my head, fighting tears. “I’m not looking for a long-distance relationship. And I can’t go back to Michigan.”

“Neither am I.” Brody bit his bottom lip, rolling it between his teeth.

“Then I’m confused. Why are you here?” I blew out a breath.

I’ve worked so hard to forget you and move on. Seeing you is like a razor blade slicing open old wounds.

“I needed to see you.” He placed a lock of hair behind my ear, and I fought the urge to lean into his hand.

“That doesn’t change anything. I live here. You live there. I can’t do that. I’m sorry,” I whispered and turned away.

My hands were shaking and my knees felt like jelly. I couldn’t believe I was forced to walk away from him again. How many times would fate throw us together only to rip us apart?

“I don’t live in Middleton anymore. I live one dorm away from you,” he called after me.

I stopped. “What?”

“I moved out here to go to school… and to be near you. Mostly to be near you.” He took me by the shoulders and gently turned me around to face him. His eyes searched mine. “So see, if you don’t go out with me, it’ll be a wasted trip.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets, his arms held straight, making his shoulders rise.

My eyes narrowed at him and I shook my head slowly, trying to process what he was telling me. “There are a lot of things we need to work out, to talk about.”

“I know, and we will. I’ll talk to you every minute of every day for the rest of my life if you’ll just give us another chance. We both deserve it,” he said quietly. He ran his finger down the side of my face. “I love you and I’m lost without you, Willow. Give us a chance. Go out with me.”

“Okay, I’ll go out with you, but I’m picking the movie.”

We started walking through the campus. Brody took my hand and brought it to his mouth, kissing the inside of my wrist before he threaded his fingers with mine.

“Just promise me you’ll wear one of your famous T-shirts.” He squeezed my hand.

“Oh.” I giggled. “I have the perfect one.”

“True love stories never have endings.”

~Richard Bach