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I had to go after him There was no other way I could chase him down to OC tomorrow but who knehere he’d be or how I could find him? I didn’t have his nuiven back to hi without e- his break froo to his house, but if he was planning a leave of absence from work, who knehere he’d be tomorrow--maybe on a plane to somewhere far away?

Tears threatened at the realization that he was gone The tiniest of voices in the back of ain? What if I never heard his voice? Or felt his arhten around ain?

Nearly paralyzed with grief I spun and pressedto corab a pair of jeans and ht He o hours away I’d bang on his door at one in the led to breathe, tears coatingthe door until I sat at his doorstep I pressed my face to ed to acknowledge that I could have these feelings--that the world would not implode if I allowed one and I’d paid dearly for my stubbornness This love had cost me more than three-quarters of a million dollars It had costit back--at any price It belonged to him Forever

If he still wanted it after I’d shoved him away Fool, Mia Coward

I sobbed into h without of ht here on the porch of this little cabin My shoulders shook and I was thankful that there was no one out here to hearlike a baby

And God only kno long I would have allowedacross the porch, co feet in sneakers--the sahts before

I froze but I kept my face covered He didn’t move for a moment and then sank onto a knee to look into h of that for one day?"

My breath was painful in ainst the door behind ly, I hiccupped "I thought you left"

He frowned "Toht Went for a little walk"

I stared at him dus inside led, like spiderwebs all sticky and , tenseMy chest would rise just enough to catch a aze intensified

"Do you want to come in or would you rather sit out here?"

Without a word, I snuffled and struggled to my feet Adam rose and opened the door, which, I only then realized, was unlocked He flipped on a light and held the door for ht bolt out into the night again

And yeah, I ht have been inclined in that direction, but he blocked lance around the roohtstand, one opened and facedown on the bed, Segment Hiker’s Guide to the Pacific Crest Trail My eyes darted back to where he waited, just inside the closed door

My entire body started to shake--like an unattractive shivery kind of shake He watchedstiffly, uns away He aiting forlike an idiot on his porch, after all

I still had no idea what I was going to say I took a deep breath and asked him a question instead "Why? Why did you co I knew? I thought I was happy I thought I didn’t need anyone…" My voice faded

His lips turned up in a hu"

I mopped attoday than I have in the past ten years co idiot--I swear I’m not" I put my hands over my face "I just--I don’t knohat to do"