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“If you did, you’d always remember me.”
His gaze finds mine. “I could never forget you.”
It’s crazy how much this affects me. I don’t remember being this sad over Justice. Maybe a part of me was relieved to be free of the criticism and toxicity of his lifestyle. Until Riley, I had no idea what a healthy relationship was like. The ones I had in the past were always short-lived and the guys tended to be self-serving.
“Will you stay in America? Can you at least tell me that? I’d feel better knowing you’re still here somewhere.”
“I’ll be here. Somewhere.”
“In the mountains?”
His sad smile is all the answer I get.
I let out a hurt-filled breath.
Riley stands.
It feels as if the floor is crumbling beneath me.
He takes my hands and tugs me to my feet. Carefully, he steps over the kittens and pulls me into his arms for a hug. I clutch him for the last time because I know this is goodbye.
“I’ll miss you,” he says into my hair.
“I’ll miss you, too,” I murmur into his neck and let the tears fall.
He holds me while I cry, tightening his arms around my waist.
I can’t believe this is it.
When his hold on me loosens, I panic and lock my arms around his neck. “Not yet.”
He lets out a sad chuckle and straightens enough to gaze at my face. “I expect to see great things from you.”
He’s referring to social media. The thought of him looking up my life on the internet does little to console me.
“Promise me this isn’t goodbye forever. Anything can happen. Maybe Marina is here to shop or see someone else. You can’t be in danger forever.”
“I hope not. Either way, I was always leaving for a different life.”
“I know.” Mountain life. “If you get lonely and want a visitor, call me. I’ll come incognito.”
He chuckles for real this time and leans down to kiss my lips. They’re wet from tears, salty in taste, and everything a goodbye kiss should be—deep, emotion-filled, consuming—and then it’s over.
“I’m really happy I came here and got to have this with you.”
“Me, too.”
His hands loosen to rest on my hips. “I have to catch a plane.”
“Private?”
“Yeah. Agent Keller is having some pictures staged to leak to the media, so they know I’m leaving California. It’ll ensure your and Gigi’s safety.”
I nod, numb, and force myself to release him.
He cups my cheeks and stares into my eyes before kissing me one last time. “Be good to yourself.”
I stand in the family room, my gaze out the glass doors to the pool as he slips away to his room to pack, I assume.