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“Sweetheart, I’d stay longer if I could,” her dad said. “But your mother wants me home when the twins get back. And I think we both know I’m not much help here.”
“I’m glad you came, Daddy.”
He gave her a woeful smile. “I never did see you sing. I’m sorry about that.”
She shrugged. “There’s always next time. I’m sure Mom will make you come back.”
“She might,” he said, his smile fading. “I hope she does.”
She wrapped her arms around her father. What could she say? Mom still loves you? She wasn’t sure if that were true anymore. She didn’t know how to judge love. Dante had opened her eyes to a world of want and desire. But the kind of bone-deep need “to have and to hold till death do us part”? She didn’t have a clue about that.
“Have a safe flight, Dad,” she murmured, pulling him in for another hug.
“Be careful out there. Listen to your mother, your manager, and your bodyguard over there.” Her dad nodded toward Dante. “I don’t want to hear about any more run-ins with stalkers.”
“I will, Daddy.”
They said their final good-byes and I-love-yous before her father turned and disappeared through the Albuquerque airport security.
Dante was at her side a moment later. “I need to get you back before the bus leaves for California. Mason gave me strict orders.”
She glanced up at him. “I know my manager’s upset that I decided to take my dad to the airport myself. Though it’s his fault that he booked a flight out of an airport an hour from Santa Fe. But I still sign your paychecks, you know that, right?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He turned and headed for the automatic doors. “But we also have to return the car to the hotel. And I was told you still need to finish your next number one album.”
“Don’t jinx it,” she muttered, following him to the short-term parking area. She’d been working on lyrics since she’d pitched her ideas in Denver. She’d always known he would be returning to the SEALs once his knee healed. But when she’d started writing, her feelings poured out.
She glanced at Dante as she climbed into the passenger seat of the car borrowed from the hotel. She didn’t want him to leave. But the idea of him staying was worse. What he did out there, with the other SEALs and sailors, it was important. If it wasn’t…then her brother had given his life for a career that could be set aside on a whim.
He turned onto the service road leading away from the airport. She waited for him to say something.
Tell me you miss our lessons. Tell me that you miss talking to me, or guarding me while I nap.
Nothing…
I miss you. Your touch. Your kisses.
But what was the point in telling him? He would be leaving soon. And while she wanted to tear a hole through the distance that had erupted since she’d been forced to face the truth—she couldn’t handle the distraction of a relationship without dropping the ball on something else—she knew she would miss him more when he was on the other side of the world and walking into harm’s way.
But he hasn’t left yet…
She should keep her distance. Breaking it down now would only make the end harder. And she had to walk away. She couldn’t get tangled up in love and miss another call, or show up tired to another show. Not that this was love. She wanted him. Knowing he was leaving soon only spurred her lust forward.
He’s still here…
“Can you take the back roads?” she asked, pointing to a sign marked Turquoise Trail. “I’ve never been to this part of New Mexico.”
“I don’t think we have time for sightseeing today.” He headed for the highway entrance ramp. “We’d better stick to I-25, or I’ll get an earful from Mason.”
“Afraid of my manager now?” she said.
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“No,” he said, merging onto the road. “But I like the way he looks out for you.”
“I don’t think Mason would stand his ground and hit hard if needed,” she murmured. “But he might haul ass.”
“Not all battles are physical. He does his part to keep you safe and further your career. I thought that was important to you, too.”
