I choke out a sob when I see him. It’s still daytime in Cali, and he’s outside. Tears of joy stream down my face before either of us can utter a word. I don’t know what any of this means.

But if he’s there—and I’m here—we both want more, and we’re willing to try.

I take the phone out of Fielding’s hand, then barely manage to choke out a “Hi.”

Dempsey’s face screws up with emotion. He looks away from the camera before looking back to me.

“I’m a mess,” I lament as I sniffle and try in vain to do something about my soaking wet hair. There’s a smattering of vomit on the corner of my shirt—so gross.

“You’ve never looked more beautiful to me,” he replies without missing a beat.

“Ugh,” Fielding groans beside me as he stands to his feet. “I’m going inside to give you two some privacy. Bring me my phone when you’re done, Little Wheeler. You’re gonna need a shower to get some of that puke smell off you before you get back in Jake’s car.”

Heat flares in my cheeks from the callout, but I guess I better get used to Fielding being, well, Fielding, if Dempsey and I are really doing this.

Dempsey clears his throat and calls my attention back to the screen. He’s wearing a button-down shirt without a tie, and his hair’s slicked back and styled. He’s the epitome of California cool. Seeing him there, looking that good, increases my confidence that this could work.

“You’re in Hampton?” he asks. “For me?”

I nod my truth as the tears keep coming.

“You’re in California?” I ask, even though I already know the answer.

“I came out here to scope out some businesses I’m considering backing. I have a few meetings planned this week, and depending how those go, I planned to call you,” he explains, his voice low and gruff. “I just didn’t want to give you false hope without having things figured out. If we’re doing this, I need to do it right.”

“This?” I question.

“Us, baby girl. Me, here in California. Permanently. I know we haven’t talked about any of this… and we’d have so much to figure out… but I want to be where you are. Nothing has felt right since you left. I couldn’t ask you to stay. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I didn’t want to trap you. But I want to be with you, Maddie. Wherever you are—in whatever way makes sense—I want to be with you.”