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“What?” I finally squeak out. “No! No, I’m not looking for an out!” I’m shaking my head so hard I practically have whiplash. “I know this is going to sound stupid, but…I just don’t want any…you know…ghosts in our relationship, either.”

“That’s fair,” Vanessa says as she helps herself to some bread.

“Just think about this, Liv—Zayne and I have known each other since…you know…elementary or middle school. Since we’ve gotten together as a couple, I cannot even tell you how many people have tried to take credit for our relationship!

My dad swears he deserves the credit because he hired Zayne’s father’s law firm for something, and it had us seeing each other outside our friend group. Then Mrs. Lupino…”

“Wait, wasn’t she our tenth grade Spanish teacher?” I ask.

“Yup! She lives in my apartment complex. Anyway, when she saw me and Zayne together, she tried to take credit for our relationship because she sat us together in class.”

“And you’re telling me this…why?”

“Because there are going to be people who are going to do the same to you and Ash,” she says simply.

“I know I am,” Roxie says with an impish grin. “If me and my dogs didn’t snore so loud, you wouldn’t have gone downstairs that night. So really…you’re welcome.”

“See?” Vanessa laughs. “So let Mrs. Serrano or Matt’s ghost think whatever they want! Other people will too! There’s no ick. There’s no reason to freak out. And really, if you’re secure in this relationship with Ash, you should really stop freaking out at every little thing.”

“I know you’re right. This is all so new to me. And as we’ve all discussed ad nauseam, I’m afraid of messing things up.”

“And you will if you don’t stop freaking out,” Loren states. “So stop it.”

“Oh, okay. Sure. I’ll just stop it.” But…yeah. I do need to just stop it.

Am I ever going to love thinking about Matt wanting to set me and Ash up? No. But it’s a moot point. It never happened and it never will, so…what am I freaking out for?

Reaching for a piece of bread, I sigh happily.

But everyone’s still staring at me like I’m a ticking time bomb or something.

“I’m fine, guys. I promise. You’re all right and I’m not going to focus on situations that simply aren’t important or no longer exist.” I grab the butter. “Now, what are we ordering next?”

Now the perfect ending to my vacation can finally begin.

I’m a little teary-eyed as I go through security at the airport in Raleigh. I feel like I’m leaving a piece of my heart behind and even though I know I’ll be back soon, leaving is much harder than I thought it would be.

The girls all stayed at Vanessa’s last night as we had one last slumber party. I texted Ash and promised I’d call him today, but that I needed the time with the girls last night. Of course he understood, and it was nice to not have to step away or interrupt the fun.

Unlike Loren, who completely stepped away more than once to call Mike.

And even though no one else probably noticed, I think the few times Roxie made excuses to call and check on her dogs, she was really calling her secret guy back at the beach.

She still hasn’t mentioned him to the girls and I’m not going to be the one to out them. When she’s ready, she’ll talk about it. For now, I’m happy to keep her secret.

I’m tired, and I know I’m going to sleep on the flight. I’m just counting down the minutes until we board.

My phone vibrates in my hand, and I look down and see a text from Ash.

Ash: I see that your flight’s on time. Are you boarding yet?

Liv: Not yet. Just sitting here waiting.

Liv: This airport—as you know—is kind of small, so I got through security fast and was to the gate with plenty of time to spare.

Ash: That’s a good thing.

Ash: What happens when you get to Seattle? Who’s picking you up?

I laugh softly as I shake my head.

Liv: No one, silly. We’ve been over this. No friends, remember?

Liv: I’ll take an Uber home. No biggie.

Liv: There was no way I was going to park at the airport for so long, and I don’t know anyone well enough to ask them to do the airport run. That requires a certain level of friendship.

Ash: Lol! I never thought about that, but you’re right.

Ash: Still, I hate to think of you driving with a stranger at night like that.

Liv: It won’t be that late. I land around 7:30. It’s all good. You don’t have to worry.

Ash: I can’t help it. It’s what I do.

Liv: Just one more reason why you’re so amazing.

Liv: How did I get so lucky?

Ash: I’m the lucky one.

“Aww…” I whisper, but I’m still kind of amazed that this is my life and that this man is mine.

Ash: Have a safe flight. I need to get back to work.

Ash: Text me when you land, okay?

Liv: Will do! And don’t work too hard!

Ash: I’m doing everything I can so I can leave Dallas and move onto the next thing.

Ash: I’m determined to keep myself busy until you’re back in Raleigh and then telling my boss I’m done with traveling for a while.

Liv: Really? Ash…we never talked about that! I don’t want you to jeopardize your job for me.

Ash: I’m not. I promise. It’s something I should have done a long time ago. Now I have a reason to.

I don’t even get to respond because he beats me to it.

Ash: I really need to go. I’ll talk to you later. Love you!

Liv: Love you too.

I stare at the phone for a minute before putting it away so I can just sit back and people watch for a little while. I’m starting to get a little anxious about the whole boarding process because I don’t want to argue with anyone or have any confrontations about my seat again.

Ugh…I seriously pray there’s no repeat of the flights here.

Although, I wouldn’t mind a repeat with Ash. I would love to be flying home with him right now instead of doing it alone.

It’s kind of crazy how I was genuinely okay living my quiet little introverted life for the last five or so years. Now, after spending time with my friends and meeting Ash, I’m dreading going home—even though I know it’s only temporary.

My flight is called, and I gather my things and nearly sag with relief when I board with no drama. My seatmate is an elderly gentleman who is going to visit his son and daughter-in-law. No one tries to guilt me out of my seat, and I end up dozing off for most of the flight.

It’s the same when I change planes in Denver.

There’s no tension, no theatrics, just me boarding my second flight of the day.

This time my seatmate is a woman around my age, and we end up talking almost the entire trip about movies—primarily Wicked —and it’s the most I’ve enjoyed a solo flight in ages.

Well, except for the one where I met Ash.

Sebastian.

Sigh.

And now I’m missing him all over again.

We land smoothly in Seattle, and I’d like to say I’m glad to be home, but I’m not—at least, not really.

I know I need to be here—and I know this is going to just be temporary—but the reminder of how I don’t really have friends here hits me hard.

My seatmate waves as she gets swallowed by the crowd inside the airport, and I casually make my way down to baggage claim.

After all, what’s the rush, right?

I stop in the ladies’ room and wash up. It’s a habit I’ve always had after getting off a plane, and then I finish making my way to grab my luggage.

As I stand there waiting for the carousel to start moving, I pull up the Uber app and see how long of a wait it will be for a car.

Airport pickups are typically fast, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.

Then I text Ash to let him know I landed safely.

Liv: We landed! Totally uneventful flight.

Liv: Just waiting on my luggage.

Liv: I’ll call you when I get home.

Liv: Love you!

I stare down at the phone waiting for him to respond and smile when I see those dancing dots.

Ash: Excellent! Glad it was uneventful and no one tried to steal your seat or video shame you.

Ash: Although, those were some seriously sexy poses, and I would love to see them again!

That makes me giggle.

Liv: I promise the next time we’re together to pose however you like.

I realize how provocative that sounds, and I don’t even care.

Ash: I’m going to hold you to that.

Ash: Go and get your luggage and I hope the ride home is equally uneventful.

Liv: You and me both.

The alarm sounds and as the carousel starts to move, I edge closer to find an opening to wait.

Liv: Luggage carousel is moving so I need to go. I’ll talk to you later!

Ash: Be safe!

I put my phone in my purse and pull my carry-on behind me as I settle in with the crowd so I can actually see when my luggage comes around.

Luckily, I flew first class again so I don’t have to wait long.

The nice gentleman standing beside me actually helps me grab both bags from the carousel and I thank him profusely as I get everything coordinated so I can wheel everything away.

I go only a handful of steps when I hear, “Ashley? Car for Olivia Ashley!”

What the…?

I glance around—certain that I’m hearing things—but then I hear it again.

“Ashley! Car for Olivia Ashley!”

I certainly didn’t order a car; I’ve never ordered a private one that comes inside to meet me!

So I walk and weave my way through the crowd and see this giant sign being held up with my name on it and I’m suddenly nervous about getting any closer.

But then, it’s like everyone knows I’m coming and there’s suddenly a clear path to the sign and the sign holder. His face is blocked by the sign, but I’d know that body anywhere and I can feel the smile quickly spreading across my face.

Slowly, he lowers the massive sign and there he is.

Sebastian.

Ash.

Wearing his glasses.

The next thing I know, we are every cliché in a romantic movie or romance novel as I run to him, leap into his arms, and kiss him.

I don’t know how he got here or why; the only thing that matters is that we’re together again.