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“And so are you. You’re exactly what each other needs and, most importantly, wants. The heart isn’t built to be split apart and then co-exist on other sides of the country.”

“It’s not much fun.” I sniffle a laugh.

“Well then, you have all the answers you need. Now!” she says, pulling the fridge door open. “I’m sure I spotted something fizzy and alcoholic in here earlier.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

LUNA

Trying to convince Zach that I was fine last night was like trying to stop the tide going out. He was pissed. So pissed that yet another person, let alone my own mom, was trying to come between us.

By the time we finished up on our call, it was already ten, and then I yawned my way through three hours of schoolwork, eventually crashing into bed at one in the morning.

Which is why I’m on my third cup of coffee by six a.m. Today, I’m going to resign from work, and I’m anxious—so anxious. I’m taking a leap of faith into the unknown with my career, but all night as I’ve tossed and turned, I’ve held onto Rachel’s words of advice to follow my heart. But honestly, I knew deep down what the right choice was. I just needed a little push to get me there.

I haven’t told Zach my decision, as desperate as I was last night, I’m hoping to surprise him once I know what my notice period at school will be. With the holidays just around the corner, I’m holding out that they won’t ask me to work into January so I can fly out and stay out in Seattle. Excitement racesthrough me at the thought along with the realization that no matter what I do, I’ll probably never please my mom. I could stick around here to be at her service when she needs, or until she finds a new man, and she’d still find fault in that.

I’d go for a morning swim despite it being freezing, but I can’t find the energy. So instead, I rinse my cup out in the sink and head for the bathroom in hopes that a shower will help wake me up since the caffeine seems to have had zero effect so far.

The walk-in, rainfall shower Zach installed this summer earns him extra boyfriend points as I stand under the streams of hot water. I relax my mind and take the edge off the anticipation of sitting in Principal Michael’s office later today.

I swear I must be seeing things when I look up and watch the handle on the bathroom door slowly turn and panic rises in me.

Who has a key?

What are they doing here?

Why are they coming inhere?

I search frantically to grab a towel and cover myself as the door cracks open and a white Nike sneaker appears.

“Hello?” I squeak out.

A tattooed hand rests at the edge of the door. I’d recognize those tanned and beautiful hands anywhere. Instantly I feel lightheaded with excitement at seeing him, trying to process if it’s really him or the caffeine tripping me out.

“W—what are you doing here?” I stumble over my words as he steps into the bathroom. He’s dressed in black denim jeans, a black Scorpions hoodie, and a backward cap. As he takes me in from head to toe, a sexy smile pulls at his lips.

Steam fills the room as we drink each other in for a moment. It’s only been a couple of days since we said goodbye, but the way my body thrums and my heart races in response to him, I know doing anything long-distance is going to kill us both.

The silence continues to stretch between us over the sound of the water streams as he lifts his hoodie over his head in one quick motion, taking his shirt with it. I pin my bottom lip between my teeth as I watch him unbutton and step out of his jeans.

He’s hard, really hard. His boxer briefs can barely contain his huge cock as they’re next to go, and all the while he keeps his heated stare on me. Stepping toward me, he grips his cock and begins dragging his fist up and down, his piercings on full display.

He still hasn’t said a word as he steps into the shower to join me. I step back, and the cold tiles are a chilling contrast to my overheating body. He lights a fire in my soul with the way he looks at me, and I imagine I do similar things to him.

My back flat against the wall, he places a palm above my head and leans down to whisper in my ear. “The first thing I was going to do when I got here was get you naked.” He casts an appreciative glance down my body. “But you saved me the job, giving me more time to do exactly what I’ve been desperate to since you left.”

“How did you get here? I thought you were on an away series?” I ask, still finding it hard to believe he isn’t a hallucination.

“Red eye. We have two days off, and I’m meeting them in Cincinnati tomorrow night.” He kisses the corner of my lip, his favorite spot. “Twenty-four hours with you.”

Staring up into his addictive eyes I shake my head slowly. “Well, maybe right now, yeah. But last night, I made a decision.”

He picks up a bottle of shampoo and squeezes some into his hands before running it through my long hair. “Yeah, what’s that, Rocket?”

I pull his head down, putting my lips to his ear, an uncontrollable grin on my face. “I’m resigning from work today and moving to Seattle to be with you.”

In an instant, his mouth is on me as he works his tongue into mine before he pulls back and runs his rough palms over the top of my head and down to the nape of my neck. “Move in with me, Luna. I don’t want you anywhere else but with me—in our bed, in our home. I can take care of everything.”