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24
Iwoke up the next morning exhausted and sore in all the right places. I smiled happily and reached across the bed for Luke. I ached for his body and needed him again, except his side of the bed was empty. Panicking, I pushed up and scanned the room. A mixture of relief and dread consumed me when I discovered him partially dressed, packing his suitcase. Perhaps he was having second thoughts about us?
“What are you doing? We still have another day…” I asked, fearful of his response.
“I’m catching an earlier flight home. Amelie’s unwell and I need to get back to the pub.”
My heart dropped and I sat upright. “Is she okay?”
His jaw tightened. “Yeah, I think so. Dan needs some time off to be with her while it runs its course. He doesn't have anyone else.”
I sighed and nodded sadly.
Luke saw my disappointment and crossed back to the bed. “I’m sorry, Blue,” he said, running his hand down my arm. “I want to stay, but Amelie and Dan are like family and they need me.”
“It’s okay, Luke. I totally understand. It’s just that…”
He threaded his fingers through mine. “Just what?”
“I’m heading back to Nashville tomorrow. So, I won’t see you for a few weeks.”
“Nashville?” His lips set in a hard line.
I cringed. “Yeah, I have some things I need to take care of.”
Luke went quiet as he processed his thoughts. “That’s okay,” he finally assured, tucking my hair behind my ear. “I’ve got a ton of paperwork to do, and you would prove to be quite the distraction.” He smiled and nuzzled playfully into my neck.
I giggled as he kissed me affectionately behind my earlobe. “Are you sure I can’t convince you to stay a little longer?” I teased, hooking my fingers over his belt and pulling him closer.
Luke climbed over me. “You can convince me to do anything.” he said, and kissed me lightly at first. Our mutual desire soon overpowered us, and we made the most of every last minute before Luke had to rush off to catch his flight.
* * *
I hadn’t seen Luke in two weeks and it grew harder each day. We decided to reconnect when I returned, as his crazy work hours and our different time zones made it impossible to talk more than a few minutes at a time. He was working both day and night shifts, which only led to awkward, broken conversations as he tried to talk and manage a bar at the same time. It didn’t help that he had yet to install a land line in his house, and relied solely on the pub phone to speak to me.
Most of my time in Nashville was spent packing up my apartment, which had laid empty for the past six months. I arranged for everything I owned to be sent back to my parents’ house in Fairleigh. Luckily, I didn’t possess much in the way of material things, as most of my career was spent living out of a suitcase on the road, and all my furniture was rented.
On my final night, some of my friends invited me out for a drink, but surprised me with a huge send-off party. Everyone, who was anyone, was there and it warmed me to see I had made so many friends throughout my career.
I wasn't surprised when Stefan made an appearance. He was the reason why I knew all of these people.
“Stefan, it wouldn't be a Nashville party without you,” I greeted, as he sauntered over with a pretty young girl on his arm.
“My beautiful, Natalie,” he gushed and kissed my cheek. “So, it’s true. You’re really leaving then?”
I nodded with a smile. “Yes, I’m really leaving.”
Stefan whispered something into his date’s ear and she left us to go to the bar.
He took a step closer and hushed his voice. “Are you really sure this is the right move for you?” he asked with a frown.
“Yeah, I really am.”
Stefan pursed his lips and slowly nodded. “So, you and this bar guy…it’s pretty serious then?”
“Stefan…” I refused to talk to him about my relationship with Luke.
“I’m just concerned for you, that’s all. You’ve had such a great career here and I can’t believe you’re just throwing it all away.”
