By the time morning rolled in, I was an emotional mess. My mother, along with Simone and Mida, had to drag me out of bed and prep me to say goodbye to Parker. They had to work hard, combing through my hair that looked like it'd been hit by a tornado, touching my face up with a little makeup to mask the dreadful look underneath. They even got me a brand new dress.

But no matter what they did, deep down, I knew I wasn't ready to say goodbye. I would never be.

Sitting before the dressing mirror, hands held together in my lap and cheeks swollen from the overnight crying spree I had. I was in pain. And they all knew it.

Mom came up behind me with a solemn look and put her hands on either of my shoulders, watching my eyes through my reflection. She squeezed my shoulders.

"You'll do fine, Camsy." She smiled warmly. "He'll be back before you know it."

Behind us, Mida chipped in, "Uh. . .he might not be back for a long time. So that statement is a bit invalid-"

"Shut up, Midreda!" Simone cut her off, noticing the stiffness that came over me.

Mida was actually right. Parker had said he didn't know the timeline of the contract. It could run from weeks to months. Even worse. . .years.

I shut my eyes and shook my head. I couldn't do this. Maybe it'd be better for him to just go and get it over with.

Mom's grip on my shoulders increased, "Don't listen to Mida. You know she could be an airhead most times."

"I'm not an airhead!" Mida protested. She glanced at her phone for a second, then walked towards us, coming to squat before me and stare me in the eye. "I mean what I said, Cammie. Garth could be gone for a really long time. But he will be back. Until then, you have the rest of us."

"Yeah," Simone added. "We'll shop twenty-four seven if that's what it'll take to get your mind off him."

Despite myself, I gave them a small smile. Parker was leaving, but he would return, and I'd be waiting. These people were going to be with me until then. The realization felt like ice on my burning soul, like a breath of fresh air. Suddenly, I could live again, even though it was going to be hard.

Mida grinned, getting up. "That's the spirit." She walked to Simone and grabbed her by the hand. "Garth's at the front door," she tried to whisper to her, but I caught the words. It made my heart race. This was it.

Simone plastered on a wide smile. "We'll be downstairs." She shared a glance with mom, oblivious to the fact that I'd already caught on to their act. "You'll be fine," she told me, smiling. And then she exited the room with Mida.

The second the door swung shut, mom spoke up.

"Are you ready yet? Garth's waiting."

With tears of defeat brimming in my eyes, an invisible force gripping my heart, I choked out words as I shook my head.

"I'm not."

Maybe it had something to do with the fact that everyone was at the front door already before I got there, but I was sweating in my dress. I thought of the right words to say to him, to apologize for yesterday and still be able to bid him a proper farewell. I searched for strength in the deepest corners of my soul, strength that would carry me even after he was gone.

I found none.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. Suddenly, the sundress I was wearing felt like a ball gown, the linen causing discomfort to me as I approached the small crowd.

Mrs. Wellington was the first to notice my presence. Holding on to her husband, she gave me a subtle nod and a smile, urging me to go to Parker. Yet, there was an invisible force tugging at the hem of my dress, begging me to return to my room and stay there till all the hurt was gone.

Mom gave my hand a final reassuring squeeze and let go, motioning for me to go on when I halted in my tracks.

By now, the rest of the crowd-including Mida, Simone, Shawn, and Marcus-had noticed me coming and were beginning to move aside to grant me access. So I could see him. I twiddled my thumbs, biting my lip and dreading every step I took

I was not ready for this.

Parker's eyes had already found me before I saw him. One hand held on to his suitcase, which stood beside him, the other tucked into his pocket. Looking at the suitcase again, I felt my eyes grow warm. This was really it.

When I looked up to find his green gaze again, I already had tears in my eyes. I stopped walking, unable to continue, almost giving in to that small voice at the back of my head, almost turning around and running back upstairs.

But Parker let go of his suitcase and rushed to me, engulfing me in a hug, pressing my body to his like he wasn't ready to let go. The side of my face pressed to his chest, letting me hear his erratic heartbeat. He smelled different like he'd worn cologne.

It was probably the cologne that brought the tears to my eyes, but once they came, they refused to stop. I wrapped my own arms around his torso and grabbed a fistful of the back of his shirt, letting myself absorb him, savoring this last moment we had together until God knew when.

He buried his face in my hair and mumbled, "I'm so sorry."

I sniffled, mumbling my reply back, feeling my heart explode. "I'm sorry too."

He pulled away to hold my face between his hands, a sadness in his eyes as he'd also been crying.

"You're not selfish." He shook his head. "I realized that I was the one being selfish, making such a huge decision for you. But I understand, and I respect your decision-"

I cut him off with a sad chuckle. "I was selfish. I wanted you to stay even though I knew how important this is to you. But I'm done being selfish now. I want you to know that whatever you do when you return, I'll be right here waiting."

Parker's lips parted like he wanted to say something else. But he decided against it, letting a sigh escape his lips, and then he pulled me to him and kissed me.

In reply, I moved my hands to the back of his neck and pulled him closer, allowing my emotions to steer my motions. The air around us grew thick, bottled-up bittersweet emotions dancing around us like electricity. When he pulled away, it was like he'd taken my heart with him.

I watched tears form in his eyes as he laughed lightly. "This is sudden, and it seems stupid. But before I go, I wanted to let you know that I-" he paused, his face contorting into a thoughtful look. Brows coming together.

Mine shot up. "What?"

His eyes found mine again. "I love you, Camsy," he confessed. Oh God, this was it. My eyes widened, pupils dilating, the hairs at the back of my neck standing on edge.

Before now, I'd come to terms with the fact that I was falling in love with him. That would be the only logical explanation for the hurt that consumed me when I thought he was leaving. It would also explain the jealousy I felt whenever another woman came within a meter range with him.

I'd fallen for him even before I knew it.

Someone gasped exaggeratedly in the background. While I fought hard to kick the person in the shins for almost putting a crack in our moment, I could help but be overwhelmed by what Parker had confessed to me.

Without letting him go on, I put out my own confession. Just to assure him that I was his, and I wasn't letting go anytime soon.

"I love you, Parker." It sounded funny, coming from someone who thought she wasn't cut out for loving another. I shook my head at him. "And it's not sudden. I was just too blind to realize it before now."

A smile blossomed on Parker's face, probably the last I was going to see in a while.

"I'll be back as soon as I can," he said, his smile spreading into a grin as he stepped away from me. "I promise."

My heart reached for him, eager to have him back in my arms. But I reprimanded myself. This was for the best.

I put on a smile for him. "I'll be waiting."

Parker held onto his suitcase again, sending a nod of acknowledgment to his parents and mine. Marcus gave him a thumbs up from where he stood, and Mida waved like a crazy woman beside Shawn, causing Parker to laugh and wave back.

Finally, he shot me a smile that held so much promise it felt almost too heavy to carry. Then he spun around and walked to the limousine waiting for him.

In a matter of seconds, he was gone.

For some reason, I didn't feel like I would break down and wail. I even smiled at the rest of the people waiting and followed them inside because I knew I had something to hold on to.

A promise, hope.

He was going to come back, and we would find each other when he did. Then we were going to be inseparable.