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Last night had been hard enough. Dinner with Edith, Grady, and Rissa had felt far too normal for something that was supposed to be a goodbye. They’d eaten together, talked, laughed, and she had done her best not to think that it was the last time the four of them would sit around the same table for who knew how long.

This morning had been worse.

Grady had arrived early to help load her luggage into the Corvette. By the time everything was packed, she’d already been fighting tears, determined not to turn their goodbye into some dramatic scene in Edith’s driveway.

She’d almost succeeded. Then he had pulled her into his arms.

Closing her eyes, she let the memory come back with painful clarity. His mouth on hers. The familiar scent of his aftershave. She’d held on longer than she should have because letting go meant she actually had to get in the car and leave.

Eventually, she had.

He’d climbed into his SUV after she got into the Corvette, and when she pulled away from the house, he followed. At first, she’d assumed he was heading somewhere for work, but when he stayed behind her through town and onto the highway, she’d realized what he was doing.

He was seeing her out of the county.

The realization had nearly destroyed what little control she had left. For mile after mile, she’d watched his SUV in her rearview mirror, grateful he was still there and dreading the moment when he wouldn’t be. She’d known exactly when that moment would come, but knowing didn’t make it any easier when they finally reached the county line.

His lights flashed once behind her before he slowed and pulled onto the shoulder. She tapped her brakes three times in response, watching his SUV shrink in her rearview mirror until the road curved and he disappeared.

She hadn’t made it another mile before the tears poured forth, forcing her to pull into the first safe place she found and get herself together before continuing. That had been crying bout number one. She’d lost count sometime after round three.

Her phone had helped and made everything worse at the same time. He’d called several times throughout the day, each conversation beginning with some variation of making sure she was using the Bluetooth and keeping her eyes on the road. They’d talked about her progress, where she’d stopped for gas, the weather, traffic, and anything else that gave them an excuse to stay on the phone a little longer.

Hearing his voice had made the journey a little easier. Ending each call made the distance between them feel even greater, especially knowing every mile took her farther from him.

She pushed herself off the bed and crossed to the window. Cedar City spread beyond the glass, unfamiliar buildings and parking lots framed by distant mountains. Nothing outside meant anything to her. It was simply a place to sleep between Antelope Rock and her final destination.

Home.

Los Angeles was home. Her house was there. Her career was there. Her friends were there. Nearly everything she’d built was waiting for her in California.

So why did going back feel so damn awful?

The answer had been following her for hundreds of miles, no matter how hard she tried not to put words to it.

She was in love with Grady Minor.

Pressing her forehead against the cool glass, she closed her eyes. There it was. No qualifiers. No maybe. No wondering whether she was getting carried away because their relationship had developed inside a strange little bubble created by her extended stay in Wyoming.

She loved him.

But loving him didn't change the distance between their lives. Rissa, his job, and everything he'd built were in Wyoming. Her own life was waiting for her in L.A.

She’d known all of that from the beginning. None of it was new information. It simply hurt a hell of a lot more now.

Her stomach growled, reminding her that the granola bar she’d grabbed at a gas station hours ago didn’t qualify as dinner. Returning to the bed, she picked up the room-service menu and forced herself to choose something. A burger and fries required no thought, which made it perfect.

Once she placed the order, she kicked off her shoes and stretched out on the bed with her phone. She didn’t debate calling Grady. She just did.

The call rang several times before rolling to voicemail.

Disappointment sank through her even though she knew how ridiculous that was. He was the county sheriff. His job didn’t stop because she’d left Wyoming, and he’d already spent more time checking on her today than she had any right to expect.

Still, she wanted to hear his voice.

Instead of leaving a message, she hung up and texted him.

Made it to Cedar City and I’m checked into the hotel. Halfway home. Just ordered dinner. Call me when you get a chance.