With as much enthusiasm as I could muster, I threw him an encouraging look. "I promise to think about it, babe. We'll never know, seven weeks is quite a long time. Maybe by then I'll miss you so damn much that I won't have a choice but to move in with you 'cause I can't stand being away from you any longer."
His eyes glinted, amused at the thought of me obsessed with him again. "I'd love for that to happen. Then you'll just be as crazy as I am with you."
"I am crazy for you."
"You are … but not like before … " He trailed off with sadness in his eyes, recalling the memories of our past. "In those days, I was your endgame."
He still was, but I wasn't going to throw everything in one basket when we just started dating again. Surely, he could see that?
"Baby steps, River. I'll get there, and you're going to help me."
"You bet your sweet ass I will. I'll fucking carry you if I have to."
Like I expected anything less from him.
We only had a couple of hours left before he was due to jet back to Los Angeles. And like always, we spent it in bed, talking and cuddling. So, when it was time for him to leave, we got stuck at the door, kissing and nipping each other's neck, not ready to say goodbye.
I'm going to miss his crazy so bad. I heaved before kissing him on the lips once more. It's time to let him go, or he'll miss his flight …
"I'll be seeing you," I whispered, hating these temporary goodbyes.
He smiled against my lips and whispered, "Be seeing you."
Chapter Three
After seven, long, rigorous weeks, I boarded a commercial flight home. Dressed in my typical all black gear from top to bottom and my haphazard hair loosely tied in a bun, I let out a satisfying sigh after hearing the sound of the buckle being secured around my hips. Never had I been so ecstatic when thinking of home. I had missed my friends and being surrounded with familiarity. Vancouver was a beautiful city, but there was nothing like LA. Love or hate it, the city had a way of growing in you.
River thought I wouldn't be back for another two days. However, I took it upon myself to book the next flight out the second we wrapped up. The man had a crazy habit of surprising me all the time, and I wanted to repay the favor. Though there hadn't been a day we didn't speak over the phone, it wasn't the same.
Beyond elated at the thought of seeing my River soon, happiness bubbled out of me the second the plane touched on the tarmac. It felt forever navigating through customs and through the carousel, but the moment I had everything with me, I wheeled myself out and immediately flagged one of the yellow cabs, heading straight to his condo in Beverly Hills.
I wasn't sure if he was in the studio or at home, but knowing how crazy he had been before his album released, he would most likely be working late. However, since the man had gifted me a key to his pad, I could unwind until he was back.
It took less than half an hour to get to his place from the airport. And with the use of the key he left me, I wheeled myself into his apartment, and upon entering, I was bombarded with a delicious scent of food being cooked, wafting in the air.
My inside turned hot, then cold, as my eyes trained on the person coming down the stairs. A figure I wouldn't dare forget. Never in a million years. My blood curled at the very sight of her.
Something violent exploded within me, and in a heartbeat, I was ready to settle scores.
"Willa," I hissed out as I shoved my luggage against the wall before marching to meet her at the end of the steps, prepared to yank her by the hair and drag her out of here. "What the fuck are you doing here?" My heart pounded while my hand clenched. My mind ran each ugly scenario available as to why she was here. This was River's home, for fuck's sake!
But before Willa could manage to reach the bottom of the steps, River came out of the kitchen, donning a damn apron and heart-warming smile.
"Baby, you're back early! I'm making dinner. Are you hungry?" He trudged towards my frozen form before wrapping those steel-banded arms around me and giving me a massive hug, planting a huge kiss on my lips.
What the flipping crock! Color me confused, but why wasn't anyone explaining anything to me?
I frowned, my lips pursed as I accusingly gazed at the stony-faced Willa before my eyes reverted back to the grinning idiot of a boyfriend. "What the fuck is going on here? Care to fucking explain why this ho is here?"
"Listen, why don't you sit down? I'll pour you a glass of wine, then we can talk about it," he offered softly, hoping alcohol would make my boiling blood lower down a notch.