30

“How often do you find yourself in Florida?”

I felt him breathe, the air warming my hair.

“At least once a quarter. I have several clients here.”

“Are all the trips planned far in advance or surprises like this one?”

“Both.” He paused. “I’d have to look, but I don’t recall any more trips down here until the end of the year. That could always change though.” His arms tightened. “What about California? Do you ever make your way out there?”

I filled my lungs several times, holding in the air after each inhale. “It’s actually where I’m from.”

“No shit?”

“Yeah … I grew up in LA.” I stilled, feeling the pounding in my heart. “I do go back—holidays, birthdays, special events, things like that. But now that graduation is coming up, I have too much to do, and I won’t get a chance to return. Plus, my parents will be coming, so there’s no reason to fly home to see them.”

He turned my body to the side, so he could take in my face.

There were so many things I wanted to say, but I couldn’t. They hu