Barely a breath away, I smirked. “Your dream guy, huh?”
She rolled her baby blues. “You know you are. And don’t go and say that I’m your dream girl, because we both know that isn’t true. I’m just the nerdy girl you barely remembered.”
I placed my hands on either side of her face. “You are my dream girl, and I’ll never forget you.” When she moved her head to most likely shake it, I stopped her. “Listen to me, Charlotte Charlie Nicholson. You are smart, beautiful, determined, and talented. Just like you did on the field, I know you’ll kick ass in med school. You need to know that letting you go is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.” A tear fell from the outside of her eye, and I felt the pressure building behind mine. I didn’t remember the last time I’d cried—maybe when my grandfather died when I was nineteen. But never over a girl. Except she wasn’t just any girl… she wasmygirl. “You’re more than a dream, Charlie. If you need anything… anything at all in Seattle or anywhere, I’ll be there for you.” I paused, knowing the next words coming from my mouth would mimic acid. “If you meet someone, make sure he treats you right.”
Her head reared back before she slowly shook it. “My entire life I’ve measured all guys I’d consider dating up to you—which was difficult when I just had anideaof the type of boyfriend you’d be. Now that I know? No one stands a chance. And excuse me if I don’t wish you the same. I don’t want to think about your lips on another woman’s. But if you do meet someone—”
Not wanting to hear that, I slammed my mouth on hers. Salty tears seeped in, making me wish I could ask for a trade to Seattle. Our lips parted, and she rolled her eyes to look up at me. “Thank you for everything. For letting me live here, for being my mentor even though I know you didn’t want to, and for being my first.” Tears fell from her eyes quicker than my thumbs could wipe them away.
I pulled her into my chest and held her as I let my own tears fall. A knock on the door had me wishing I was selfish and told her to stay and not go. I was living my dream, and it was time for her to live hers.
Releasing her, I walked toward the door and pulled it open. “Hey, Cami. Come on in.”
The frown on her face was a great indication that I didn’t hide my emotions well. She stepped over the threshold. “Hi, Charlie, are you ready?”
“Yeah.” She shucked on her jacket and put the strap of her purse over her head. Charlie’s ankle wasn’t fully healed yet, so I carried her bags out to Cami’s car. When I came back in, Cami gave me a tight smile.
“I’ll be outside.”
Alone again, I swallowed heavy, hoping I could keep my sadness at bay. “Call me when you get there.”
Charlie nodded, and before I knew it, our lips were locked and her fingers were spearing my hair. When she gave a gentle tug, I deepened our kiss. I hoped that I poured all the things I didn’t say into that kiss. I had a feeling Charlie had done the same.
I memorized her taste, her touch, the way her silky hair felt between my fingers, and how her lips would turn up at the end of a kiss. Inhaling, I took in her sweet floral scent and cataloged it with so many other details that made her who she was. Deep down, I wasn’t sure what the future held. Time did weird things to relationships. Toss in thousands of miles and opposite time zones, and who knew what would happen?
Reaching into the drawer in the small side table, I pulled out a square box. “This is for you. Open it when you miss me.”
Her lips formed a tight grin. “So when I step out the door?”
“Okay, how about this? Open it when you feel as though everything is getting to be too much.”
Her brows tugged together as she studied the box, moving it up and down as though testing the weight. “All right, I can do that. I wish I’d gotten you something too.”
“All I want is for you to be happy and become the best doctor you can be.”
“I will, I promise.” Her bottom lip jutted out. “I should go.”
Nodding, I moved out of her way, walked her to the door, and escorted her down the front steps leading to the sidewalk. The wind picked up loose wisps of her hair. “Bye, Collin.”
“See you later.”
“Good luck with the playoffs. I’ll be watching.”
“Thanks. I’m going to miss you.”
“Yeah…” She wiped away a tear. “I’m going to miss you too.”
Breaking the tether between us, Charlie made her way to Cami’s car and got in; then I watched it and the woman I love drive away.
Chapter 28
Charlie
After securing my rental car, I began to drive toward the address of the apartment I’d rented for the semester. My adviser, whom I hadn’t met in person yet, had sent me the address. Apparently he owned the duplex and rented it out to students. It was a quaint house, nothing too big, but then again, compared to Collin’s house, I didn’t expect it to be.
Collin. Just thinking about him made me both happy and sad. I shrugged off my puffer jacket, gently toed off my duck boots, and hung the jacket on the coat stand in the corner. Despite hearing forced heat blowing through the vents, the air had a dewy quality, sending shivers through me.
Taking a moment to look around, I admired the detailed trim around the doors and windows, the wood flooring that was weathered and most likely the original. Every so often, a board would creek beneath my foot as I made my way to the kitchen. It looked updated thanks to the stainless-steel appliances, quartz countertop, and freshly painted white cabinets.