Chapter 35
thirty-five
Caroline
Reese and I had been inseparable since the moment he came back into town, stealing every second we could before time ran out.
Yesterday, we’d spent the entire day on his boat, the sun warming our skin, the gentle waves rocking us blissfully while I was in his arms. He was starting to feel like home, my safe place—and he was right about how much I needed it.
And now, just when we’d finally found our rhythm, when everything felt right and effortless with nothing standing in the way, he was leaving. Today.
I reached out, hesitating for just a moment before pressing the doorbell—it was a sleek, modern black circle with a camera. With a small smile, I pressed the button and lifted my shirt just over the camera lens, hoping to be spontaneous and surprise him.
But the giggle died in my throat when the door creaked open sooner than expected. Reese appeared, and a flush crept up my neck as I quickly shoved my shirt back down.
A silent moment hung between us before he grinned and said, “Uh… did you just flash the camera?”
I forced a slow blink, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear like I wasn’t internally combusting at the fact that he’d just caught me. "Maybe," I drawled, aiming for cool and landing somewhere near delusional.
His brow lifted, those sharp green eyes flickering with pure mischief. "You do know that footage goes straight to my dad’s phone, right?"
My stomach hit the floor as cold terror rushed through me like I’d been thrown in ice water. He bit his lip, barely holding back a laugh as I choked on air.
"Shut up," I sputtered, voice cracking. "Please tell me you’re kidding."
His smirk deepened. He was definitely not kidding. Reese just leaned against the door frame, amused. "Don't worry about it," he laughed, "Can guarantee you that wasn’t the first pair he’s seen."
My cheeks still burned as I crossed my arms. "I can never show my face around him again."
"You’re going to have to… he's here in his office," Reese snickered.
"I have to go," I whispered, covering my eyes in embarrassment.
"Get in here," Reese's hands grabbed mine from my face and pulled me inside, the door closing behind me.
He led me down the familiar hallway, moving toward his bedroom. He pushed open the door to his room, where suitcases were open and filled. Shirts, jeans, everything—folded and packed in tight.
"I hate admitting this," I found myself saying, "but we’ve only been apart a few hours and I missed you. How am I going to do this whole long distance thing?"
He straightened, and flashed me a dimple. "Sit on the bed," he said, simply. "Spread your legs, and I can show you how much I've missed you too."
"Very funny," I rolled my eyes, "with my luck, your dad will walk in here and get another show." The thought of his father witnessing anything more than he already had made me want to live the rest of my days under a rock.
A laugh rumbled out of Reese as his arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me in close, and the scent of him—warm and spicy—filled my senses. It was like coming home to a warm, clean house, if that house was a person.
"Are you sure you don't want to come with me?" His lips brushed against mine in a kiss so tender it was in direct contradiction to his reckless spirit.
I clung to him, my arms entwined around his solid form. "I can’t. But I'll be there to visit in a few weeks," I whispered, feeling the steady thump of his heart.
"I have my own place, you know. It has a nice view of downtown, there’s some vacant dance studio space around me. I'm just saying... you could stay with me, start up your own career."
His words painted images of a life that would be a dream. A new city full of opportunities, a life with him and endless possibilities. But it wasn’t the real world, and I couldn't allow myself to be swept away by how good it sounded.
"I appreciate that—I do." My fingers trailed over his shirt. "But it's not that easy. I don't have the money to just pick up and go, to start a business. And I can't follow you around like a lost puppy."
“You’re not a lost puppy. I got a pretty nice signing bonus. Maybe I could invest in you." His gaze didn't waver, but there was a softness on his face. "And there's nothing tying you down here. You could start a career anywhere."
I felt the pull of his persuasion, saw the determination in his jawline, his puppy dog eyes—he was pulling out all the stops. But this was not how I envisioned the beginning of my journey after college—dependent on someone else's fortune.
"I can't start my career with your signing bonus, but we'll figure this out, okay? I'll be there in a few weeks, and we take it day by day, remember?"
“Yeah, guess I'll go along with this plan," he said, with a deep sigh. "But doesn't mean I have to like it."
"I don't like it either," I said just before a knock on the door fractured our stillness.
His father's muffled voice filtered through the door. "Reese, we need to leave so we have time before your flight takes off."
"Last chance, Chaos."
"I'll see you in a few weeks," I whispered. The reality that he was really leaving was starting to settle in.
How was I going to find the strength to let him go?
I hoped that this goodbye was only temporary, but that didn’t make it hurt any less.
Anything could happen in a few weeks, and long distance had never been known to be easy.
His thumb traced the line of my jaw, and I tilted my face up to his as our lips met again.
"Knew you'd say that," Reese murmured against my mouth.
I drew back slightly, my heart pounding in my chest as I met those penetrating green eyes. "You're always so strong and calm," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Do you ever freak out? Worry?"
His fingers lingered on my chin, his touch soft yet impossibly steady, like he was trying to memorize me with his hands.
"Nah," Reese murmured. "But I’m not always strong. You wanna know when I’m weak?" His eyes locked onto mine, stealing the breath from my lungs. "When it comes to you."
Without thinking, my arms pulled him closer, until I could feel the steady beat of his heart again. "Okay, never mind," I pouted, burrowing my face into the fabric of his shirt, seeking comfort. "Maybe I'll just go in your suitcase."
Reese's laughter vibrated through his chest. "You, baby, would get a seat next to me in first class," he teased.
I drew back slightly, looking up at him. "You're just making this worse," I whined. “You better get going.”
"Alright," he said reluctantly. "Bye, Chaos."
A tear escaped even though I fought it. I whispered a choked, "Not a goodbye… a see you soon," as the tear traced a path down my cheek. His fingers brushed ever so lightly against my skin, capturing the tear.
“See you soon,” Reese said, then let me go. And just like that, I watched him turn away, gripping the handles of his luggage.
Just before stepping through the door, he hesitated. One last glance over his shoulder—a look that said all the words he didn’t. Then, he was gone—disappearing into the car, then down the street, making reality slap me in the face.
His empty room felt too still, too quiet.
My gaze landed on an envelope sitting on his desk, my name written across it.
My fingers trembled, tracing the letters before finally tearing it open.
Something familiar spilled into my palm—his necklace.
The one he never took off. The one he'd worn for as long as I could remember.
A folded note rested inside, his handwriting slightly smudged.
You know how much this means to me. But you mean more. Bring it back to me. -R
My breath caught. My heart tore open.
He was gone, but he wasn’t letting me go.
He left me the one thing he knew I would have to return to him.
This wasn’t just a necklace. It was a piece of him.
And now, it was in my hands. I’d have to find him.
I’d have to return it. To put it back where it belonged—around his neck, right next to his heart. Right where I belonged, too.
I sat on the edge of his bed and I ran my fingers through my hair. His scent lingered there, something I wasn’t quite ready to give up. Finally, after I don’t know how many minutes—I found the strength to stand. I let out a long sigh and I walked out of his room and into the hallway.
"Caroline?" The voice, soft and sweet, got my attention.
"Hi," I murmured through the tightness in my chest. Reese's sister stood beside his stepmom. "I was just saying goodbye to Reese… and was heading out."
"Come here," Lo beckoned with a gentle tilt of her head.
Making my way to the kitchen, tears blurred my vision as I clutched at Lo's hands. "I'm so sorry about everything."
"It's okay… I know that plan was more Reese's idea than yours." She paused, offering a gentle smile. "But the next time Wendy Clark tries to attack my skills, I might need you again."
"Anytime."
"Reese told us PB&J’s were your favorite. Well… that and manicotti, but Mom isn’t the best at Italian," Lo said, her words bittersweet. "Want one?"
"He said you like them without the crust," his stepmom added, opening the fridge just behind Lo. “I may not be great at pasta but I can make a mean PB&J.”
Tears fell from depths I didn’t know existed. "They are my favorite," I sobbed, my voice catching on the laughter and sorrow that raced through my mind. Reese remembered that from high school—I used to toss my leftover crusts and trash into the bed of his truck.
"Used to have them every day for lunch," I whispered, almost to myself. A sudden embrace pulled me in—Lo’s arms tightening around me, not just in comfort but in understanding.
No words, no questions, just quiet solidarity.
The space Reese once occupied so vibrantly was now so empty, and all that remained was this dreadful ache—the kind that settled deep, heavy, and unshakable.