Page 97

One down, two more to go.

I had one in December and another in January.

I was no longer accepting new offers to speak.

I wasn’t sure what our future looked like, but I didn’t want to lecture in Southern California anymore.

“I wish I was home with my family,” I whispered to myself as I stroked a finger over one of the pink lilies in the middle of the table.

I texted almost every day with Sara, and I was on the group text with all the guys, but it wasn’t the same as being there in person.

I’d stress baked my last few days in Michigan, and everyone had enjoyed the apple pies.

I’d left several for Brock that he’d proclaimed were the best pies he’d ever tasted.

I wasn’t baking or cooking today.

My heart wasn’t really into it.

I’d turned the TV on low to watch the parade, and I planned on working on my book later.

Stop feeling sorry for yourself, Jenna. You’ll see everyone at Christmas.

I’d been keeping myself busy with work since I got back to California, but on days like today, my heart ached to see and touch my man.

We’d burned up the sheets so much before I’d left that I probably should have been satisfied for at least a month.

But no, of course that hadn’t happened.

My first night alone in my bed had been agonizingly lonely, and it hadn’t gotten any better.

The following weeks had told me that I just didn’t belong in Southern California without Brock anymore.

I wasn’t quite sure how to bring up the topic of me moving to Michigan.

It was probably way too soon for us to talk about that.

But I knew what I wanted.

Brock made me happy. It was as simple as that.

I missed my found family in Michigan, and I missed the dark night skies where I could spend my time stargazing.

I wanted the peace I’d found in Cherry Cove, and now that I knew what life could be like when I was happy, I wanted to be back there as soon as possible.

I’d been alone for so long that I could probably appreciate family and happiness more than most people.

I wanted that happiness back so badly that my heart ached.

My phone beeped, and I smiled when I looked down at my new text.

Sara and the guys had already texted earlier this morning.

It was finally a text from Brock.

Brock: Happy Thanksgiving, sweetheart. I miss you.

Me: I miss you, too. Dinner with the family today? I don’t feel like cooking. I’ll watch the parade and eat a sandwich.