Murph gives her directions, and I can’t help but gloat at him after she’s gone.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” he says.

“I shouldn’t have brought her here,” I answer, taking a swig.

“Why? Because we’re treating her like your girlfriend and not your booty call?”

“She’s not a booty call,” I say, feeling suddenly very defensive at the idea that that’s how they see her. “We’re not even having sex, not that it’s any of your business.”

“Well then, smile a little, Logan. She’s great. Beautiful. Sweet. Good for you, man.”

“She’s here for a few days, Murph.”

Then he stops arguing and just looks at me with a curt nod and a deep inhale. Like he suddenly understands. I like this girl. And the more I’m with her, the more I like her. So, what the hell is going to happen to me after this week is over?

Sierra was the life of the party for the rest of the night. It was easy to see how much the guys loved her. She kicked ass in beer pong, swearing she had never played in her life. Just after 3:00 a.m., I can tell she’s yawning in secret.

I lean over to her and put my lips to her ear. “I’m ready when you are.”

She glances up at me, eyes full of desire and warmth. “Okay.”

Without another word, she starts making her rounds, saying goodbye to all of these rough-edged guys who had all fallen under her spell the moment she arrived.

We walk toward her condo slowly. I can feel her buzzing next to me, and the tension in the air screams of lust and expectation. How am I going to make it a whole week without devouring this girl whole? Even now, my body is throbbing with desire to just touch her. As if every moment that our skin isn’t in contact is some sort of torture meant to destroy me.

All I want is for her to destroy me.

Finally, she loops her arm through mine. “I wish this week could last forever,” she whispers as we approach the parking lot outside her building.

The word ‘forever’ hangs in the air between us, and I’m struck dumb without knowing how to respond to that. I can’t give her forever. I can’t even give her more than seven days.

As much as I want to. As much as that growing tenderness makes me want so much more, I have to constantly remind myself that she deserves far better.

And I will not let myself pretend that forever is an option.

So, I don't respond. I don’t agree with her, and I can feel her slump when I stay silent. She stops our walking and turns toward me, wrapping her arms around my waist and pulling my body against hers.

Why does this precious thing even care about me? What could she possibly see in a loser like me? I’m too broken. Too rough and lost. When she could literally have anyone she wants, why would she even bother for a moment with me?